8/31/15
Post date: Aug 30, 2015 9:41:23 PM
This week we will focus on physical properties, mass, and volume. We will also introduce density, with a focus on relative density in particular. In accordance with the state of Texas, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill ( or TEK) addressed this week will be 5.5A.
(5) Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has measurable physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed, and used. The student is expected to:
(A) classify matter based on physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating), solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy;
Throughout the week we will be doing various readings, create multiple journal entries with illustrations and teacher notes, and observing various scientific tools. I will scan and upload various reading and journals entries completed, as well as handouts and worksheets. Feel free to use these resources to discuss what we are learning in class with your scientist at home! Following is a crash course in what we are learning this week.
Physical Properties: A physical property is an observable or measurable aspect of an object. For example, it is a way to describe something, and place it in a group!
For instance, the physical properties of an apple would be : sweet or bitter taste, red or green color, a certain size (volume) , a certain shape, a certain mass, a smell, a smooth texture, and the fact that is is not attracted to a magnet! I will soon upload some journal notes that we will be taking regarding physical properties. The following list details the physical properties that your scientists will be responsible for knowing and understanding:
mass
volume
density in relation to another object
magnetic or not
ability to conduct or insulate energy
composition of either a mixture or a solution
solubility ( how well it will dissolve in water)
physical state ( whether the object in question is a solid, liquid, or gas)
Mass: The amount of matter, or stuff, inside of an object. The more mass that an object has, the "heavier" it will feel! For example, a real elephant has a lot of mass, but a balloon the size of an elephant would not have very much mass, or stuff. Therefore, the real elephant would "feel heavier" than an elephant sized balloon!
Tools used: to measure the mass of a solid object, you would use a triple beam balance or a pan balance. Liquid cannot be measured this way, as it would spill over the side! Instead, liquid mass is measured by placing the liquid in a cup of a known mass ( you know how much "stuff" the cup has) and then using the balance. Here is a link to an online practice for reading a triple beam Online simulation of a triple beam balance
Units: Once you have found how much mass an object has, you must put it in terms of GRAMS. Grams is the unit, or the amount of thing, that is being measured. Just like a foot ball game will have a certain amount of points, or a cookie will have a measured amount of calories.
Volume: The physical property of volume refers to how "big" matter is. In other words, how much space the object takes up. Something small has less volume, and something larger has a greater volume. For instance, a golf ball and a monster truck.
Tools Used: To measure a liquid, place it in a beaker, or a graduated cylinder if there is less of it. To measure a regular solid ( something box shaped) measure each side with a meter stick ( or ruler if the object is small) and multiply the Length x Width X Height in centimeters. Finally, if the object is an irregularly shaped solid ( for example a rock) place it inside a graduated cylinder that already contains a small measured amount of water. The amount of water that rises is equal to the volume, or size, of the irregular solid. I will upload an illustration detailing this. Here is a video that also explains this process:
Units: The units for liquid volume, as well as volume found using displacement, is in Liters, or milliLiters for smaller amounts. For a regular object, the units are centimeter cubed ( or cm^3). Interestingly enough, 1 mL = 1 cm^3!
On Thursday and Friday, we will combine the concepts of mass and volume. We will look at density! Density basically refers to how tightly packed matter is inside of a certain volume. For example, if something is very large ( lots of volume), but very light ( has almost no mass) it is not very dense, or full. A great example of this is a large balloon. On the other hand, if something is very small ( no volume), but has lots of stuff in it ( large mass), it is super dense! An example of something small and dense would be a wallet full of quarters. In fifth grade, we focus on relative density- this is where we compare the density of one object to another.
Take a look at this picture:
here, we have the same AMOUNT ( volume) or each liquid. However, because some are more DENSE( packed full of matter, meaning they have a greater mass) they are SINKING. Those liquids that are less dense ( packed less full of matter, meaning they have a smaller mass) are floating.
Here is an online simulation that we will be looking at in class to help with this concept. In addition, I have attached a reading from the Gateways Textbook that we will be gluing into our journals.
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/density-and-buoyancy/density_en.html
This Friday there will be a ten question quiz over TEK 5.5A, focusing on mass, volume, and density. There will be five multiple choice questions and five fill in the blank vocabulary questions. Be sure to study your vocabulary sheet that will be coming home this Monday! More information about the vocabulary this week can be found in the vocabulary section of my sight.
******* On September 27th there will be a super moon lunar eclipse! Watch this video from NASA to learn more about this awesome phenomenon.***