Name _________________________________

Session________________________________

Teacher_______________________________

Date_________________________________

 

Worksheet
What's the Matter?

All matter that we see or touch, and even ones that we can't see or touch are in one of three states: They are solids, liquids, or gases. In this module you will be studying the different states of matter. When scientists think or talk about matter they mean every substance in the universe from the largest planet to the tiniest speck of dust. But what is matter? In the following activity you will mix two liquids together, observe what happens when you mix them, and use your observations as evidence to explain that matter consists of atoms and molecules.

Materials
medium-sized test tube
eyedropper
water
alcohol

Procedure
1. With the eyedropper fill your test tube approximately half way with water.
2. With the eyedropper carefully, trying not to mix the two liquids together, add alcohol on top of the water until the test tube is completely full to the top. (The liquid is in line with the test tube's top.)
3. Place your finger over the test tube to seal it. There should be no air inside the tube. It should be completely filled with liquid and sealed with your finger.
4. Mix the two liquids by vigorously shaking the test tube and turning the test tube upside down.
5. Observe what happened in the test tube and answer the questions below.

Questions:
1. After the liquids were mixed together, do they take up the same space as they did before? How do you know?

 

2. Draw a series of pictures with atoms and molecules showing what you think is happening when the alcohol and water mix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. How could this experiment help explain that liquid is made of atoms and molecules?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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