3. Structure & Properties of Matter

Our last unit is a physical science unit. We learn that different kinds of matter exist and they come in different states (stages, forms, and phases). Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties (e.g., visual, aural, textural), by its uses, and by whether it occurs naturally or is manufactured. Different properties are suited to different purposes. A great variety of objects can be built up from a small set of pieces (e.g., blocks, construction sets). Objects or samples of a substance can be weighed, and their size can be described and measured. Heating or cooling a substance may cause changes that can be observed. Sometimes these changes are reversible (e.g., melting and freezing), and sometimes they are not (e.g., baking a cake, burning fuel).

Check back to see how our thinking develops and / or changes as we work through this unit.

What We Think We Know

What We Want To Know

What We Learned