Science worksheet · States of matter

Matter Up Close

Draw the particles in a solid, a liquid and a gas, then check the facts that are true for each state.

Share:
Grade level
Grades 3–5
Time
About 20 minutes
Answer key
Yes, page 2 of the PDF
Kids practice
States of matter, Properties, Changes of state

What kids do

Printed on the sheet:

  1. Draw the particles. Solid: packed tight in rows. Liquid: close together but able to slide. Gas:
  2. Check each box that is true.

Teacher tip

Have kids act as particles: packed and wiggling (solid), sliding past (liquid), zooming apart (gas).

How to use it

  • Show ice, water and steam from a kettle (at a safe distance) before the sheet.
  • Pass around a solid, a liquid in a bottle and a balloon full of air.
  • Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.

Watch for

Kids who think gases weigh nothing. Weigh a flat and a blown-up ball to show air has mass.

Talk about it

  • What makes ice melt faster?
  • What question do you still have?

Take it further

Make ice pops and record how long they take to freeze and to melt.

US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.

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