MATTER

Meaning of Matter

• Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space.
• Examples of matter pupils can see: book, pencil, chair, water.
• Example of matter we cannot see: air.

Explain that all things around us are made of matter.

Matter is Made of Tiny Particles

• Matter is made up of very tiny particles that are too small to see.
• These particles are always moving, even if we cannot see them.
• This explains why matter can change shape, like ice melting into water.

Atoms – The Building Blocks of Matter

• The tiny particles that make up matter are called atoms.
• Atoms are the smallest part of matter and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
• Everything around us—books, water, air, our bodies—is made of atoms.
• Atoms join together to form molecules, which then make up everything we see.

States of Matter

Matter can exist in three main forms called states of matter:

(a) Solids

• Solids have a fixed shape and fixed size.
• They do not flow and cannot be easily compressed.
• Examples: book, chair, stone, pencil

(b) Liquids

• Liquids do not have a fixed shape.
• They take the shape of the container they are in.
• Liquids can flow.
• Examples: water, milk, oil

(c) Gases

• Gases have no fixed shape and no fixed size.
• They spread out to fill the space available.
• Gases are hard to see, but we can feel them (like air blowing).
• Examples: air, oxygen, cooking gas

Classfun 

• What is matter?
• What are atoms?

• Name the three states of matter.

  ASSIGNMENT 

• Give two examples of solids.
• Give one example each of a liquid and a gas.