Stage 4 Cambridge Science Worksheet: Substances, Materials, and Particles

Instructions

Read each section carefully and answer all the questions to the best of your ability. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

Section A: Particles and States of Matter

1. Match the state of matter to its particle arrangement and its properties. Draw a line to connect the three correct boxes for each state.

2. Fill in the blanks using the words from the box below.

a) In a solid, particles are packed ____________________ and ______________ in a ______________ position.

b) In a liquid, particles are ____________________ but can ______________ past each other.

c) In a gas, particles are ____________________ and ____________________ in all directions.

Section B: Materials and their Properties

Complete the table below. For each object, suggest a suitable material and give one important property that makes it suitable.

Section C: Changes of State

1. Look at the diagram showing water changing state. Label the arrows with the correct scientific term from the box below.

ICE (Solid)   --- [ A: ______________ ] --->   WATER (Liquid)   --- [ B: ______________ ] --->   STEAM (Gas)

ICE (Solid)   <--- [ D: ______________ ] ---   WATER (Liquid)   <--- [ C: ______________ ] ---   STEAM (Gas)

2. Answer these questions:

a) What must be added to a substance to change it from a solid to a liquid, or a liquid to a gas?

__________________________________________________________________

b) What must be removed from a substance to change it from a gas to a liquid, or a liquid to a solid?

__________________________________________________________________

Section D: Separating Mixtures

For each mixture below, choose the best separation method from the box and write it on the line.

a) Separating iron filings from sand: _________________________

b) Separating sand from water to get clean water: _________________________

c) Separating small pebbles from dry rice: _________________________

d) Separating dissolved salt from water to get solid salt: _________________________

Answer Key

Section A: Particles and States of Matter

1. Correct Matches:

• Solid → Particles are packed very closely together in a regular pattern. They vibrate but do not move from their fixed positions. → Cannot be easily compressed. Has a fixed shape and volume.
• Liquid → Particles are close together but are not in a fixed pattern. They can slide past one another. → Cannot be compressed. Takes the shape of the container it is in.
• Gas → Particles are far apart and move around very quickly and randomly. Lots of empty space. → Can be easily compressed. Spreads out to fill the entire container.

2. Fill in the blanks:

a) In a solid, particles are packed close together and vibrate in a fixed position.

b) In a liquid, particles are close together but can slide past each other.

c) In a gas, particles are far apart and move freely in all directions.

Section B: Materials and their Properties (Example answers)

Section C: Changes of State

1. Labels:

• A: Melting
• B: Boiling / Evaporating
• C: Condensing
• D: Freezing

2. Answers:

a) Heat (or thermal energy) must be added.

b) Heat (or thermal energy) must be removed (it must be cooled).

Section D: Separating Mixtures

a) Magnetism

b) Filtering

c) Sieving

d) Evaporation