Liquid versus Solid: comparing states of matter

What do you want the kids to know at the end of this lesson?

1. Liquid and Solids are forms of matter.
2. Matter takes up space.
3. Liquids change shape.
4. Solids do not change shape.
5. Volume is how we measure the amount of space matter takes up.
6. Weight is not the same as volume.

Engage:  This is the time you are activating that background information.  Use the experiments from the last lesson to demonstrate what they already know: liquids change shape. Show the learner two cups of water again. Ask them if we have the same amount of water? How can you tell? Pour into two new containers.   Now introduce a ping pong ball and golf ball. Ask them if this is the same size as the cup of water? How can you tell? Let’s Explore.
Explore:

Materials:

• • measuring cups or graduated cylinders
  • scale (balance scale would be preferred), this is the one I use.
  • cups of water
  • solid objects of about equal volume, but unequal weight works great (I used a ping pong ball,golf ball, and added a marble in later)
  • some type of tool to push the ping pong ball and golf ball down into water.  Smaller is better (I used chopsticks).

During the exploration ask questions.

• • What can we find out about the golf ball and the ping pong ball?
  • How do they compare to the water?
  • What are you seeing?
  • Could you do this differently?

Explain
Now is the time to help them understand what they are seeing.  I still like to use lots of questions during this time.   This is where you will try to solidify those ideas you want them to take away from the lesson.   Begin to discuss that both the solid object and the water take up space. Matter takes up space.
Sample Questions to ask

• Are the golf ball and ping pong ball liquids? 
• Why do you think that?
• Are they the same size?
• Are the scale and measuring cup/graduated cylinder measuring the same thing?

Elaborate:

Demonstrate how to measure the volume of a solid object via displacement.  Let the students try with the golf ball and ping pong ball.
Evaluate:
Ask questions all the way through this experiment, but at the end just check for understanding.  Turn the following statements into questions and look for misconceptions that you can help clarify.

1. Liquid and Solids are forms of matter.
2. Matter takes up space.
3. Liquids change shape.
4. Solids do not change shape.
5. Volume is how we measure the amount of space matter takes up.
6. Weight is not the same as volume.

You can download a more detailed lesson plan here.
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