Everything around us exists as one of the states of matter; solid, liquid and gas. Matter can change its state when it is heated or cooled.
When water is frozen into ice, it becomes a solid. At room temperature it is a liquid. When you boil a kettle, you can see water vapour escape as a gas.
Teach your children about the States of Matter using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- This lesson plan is a good introductory lesson for a primary class.
- Demonstrate changing states of matter by melting and cooling some delicious chocolate.
- Observe how water evaporates from a puddle to investigate evaporation.
- Make a model of the water cycle in a plastic bag!
- Create a voice-over for these videos of gases in everyday life from the BBC.
- Investigate non-Newtonian fluids with cornflower and water in this simple activity.
- Explore what happens when gases are compressed with this experiment.
Resources
- Our Solids, Liquids and Gases banner is perfect for your display board.
- This assembly script is a useful idea for sharing learning.
- Download our Solid, Liquids and Gases pack for heaps of resources.
- This page from BBC Bitesize is a good overview of the topic.
Solids, Liquids and Gases Facts
- Matter is everything around us. It is the “stuff” the world is made of.
- There are three main states of matter; solids, liquids and gases.
- Solids have a fixed shape.
- Liquids can flow and take the shape of the container they are in.
- Gases spread out in space.
Videos
States of Matter – Experiments
This video shows two simple experiments that children could try.
Running time: 3:41
What is a Gas?
A lively video that gives more detail about gases.
Running time: 4:12
The Three States of Matter Song
A catchy song to help you learn facts about the states of matter.
Running time: 1:39
Solid, Liquid, Gas
A lively overview of the three states.
Running time: 0:56
Books
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
When the king gets tired of the weather, his magicians make sticky oobleck rain from the sky.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
This classic favourite is a perfect read for learning about states of matter (especially chocolate!).
Itch
An adventure story about science. Itchingham Lofte (Itch) discovers a new element, but someone is after it…
States of Matter
This book sums up the key points of the topic, with a joke or two along the way!
Making with States of Matter
This practical book is full of projects changing the state of matter that are inspired by scientists, artists and inventors.
Solids, Liquids and Gases: Let's Investigate
Try some of the experiments in this book.
Links
- Sort out your solids, liquids and gases here.
- Match the state of matter to its properties with this “open the box” activity.
- Test your knowledge with this quiz.
- This School Run page is a good summary of the entire topic.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
