Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the concept of states of matter and perform simple experiments to observe changes in states of matter.

Materials and Prep

• Water
• Ice cubes
• Small pot
• Stove or heating source
• Glass jar with lid
• Balloon
• Plastic bottle
• Food coloring (optional)
• Parental supervision for heating water

Activities

• Ice Melting Race: Fill two glasses with ice cubes and time how long it takes for each glass to melt. Discuss why one might melt faster than the other.
• Boiling Water: Boil water in a pot and observe the steam. Explain the concept of water changing from liquid to gas.
• Balloon Inflation: Place a balloon over the mouth of a bottle filled with warm water. Watch the balloon inflate as the air inside warms up.

Talking Points

• "Matter exists in three main states: solid, liquid, and gas. Can you name some examples of each?"
• "When a solid turns into a liquid, we call it melting. Can you think of other examples of melting besides ice?"
• "What happens to water when we heat it? Why does it change from liquid to gas?"
• "Can you explain why the balloon inflates when placed over warm water? What is happening to the air inside the bottle?"