Solids & Liquids PS

Solids and Liquids


Students develop an understanding about how materials are similar and different from one another and how the properties of materials relate to their use. Students observe, describe, and compare properties of solids and liquids. They conduct investigations to find out what happens when solids and water are mixed and when liquids and water are mixed. They gain firsthand experience with reversible changes caused by heating or cooling, and read about changes caused by heating that are irreversible.

Curriculum Map

Unit: Solids and liquids


State Standards

2-PS1-1. Describe and classify different kinds of materials by observable properties of color, flexibility, hardness, texture, and absorbency.

2-PS1-2. Test different materials and analyze the data obtained to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for the intended purpose.

2-PS1-3. Analyze a variety of evidence to conclude that when a chunk of material is cut or broken into pieces, each piece is still the same material and, however small each piece is, has weight. Show that the material properties of a small set of pieces do not change when the pieces are used to build larger objects.

2-PS1-4. Construct an argument with evidence that some changes to materials caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some cannot.

2-PS3-1(MA). Design and conduct an experiment to show the effects of friction on the relative temperature and speed of objects that rub against each other


Essential Questions

  • Which physical properties determine if something is a solid or liquid?

  • How do the physical properties of solids and liquids determine their use?

  • How do the similarities and differences of a solid or a liquid determine how they should be sorted and grouped?

  • How do the senses provide information about the physical properties of a solid or a liquid?


Students will...

  • Ask questions and defining problems

  • Developing and use models

  • Plan and carrying out investigations

  • Analyze and interpret data

  • Construct explanations and design solutions

  • Engage in an argument from evidence

  • Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information