Class
JSS1
Term
Second Term
Week
Week 2
Topic
Matter and Its States
Duration
40 Minutes
Instructional Materials
- Water
- Stone
- Balloon filled with air
- Chalk
- Plastic bottle
- Kerosene or cooking oil
- Ice block
- Chart showing the three states of matter
- Beaker and measuring cylinder
Reference Books
- NERDC Basic Science Curriculum for JSS.
- STAN Basic Science for Junior Secondary Schools.
- Evans Basic Science for Junior Secondary Schools.
- Comprehensive Basic Science by A. O. Ogunniyi.
Specific Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define matter.
- State the characteristics of matter.
- Explain the three states of matter.
- Differentiate between solids, liquids and gases.
- Give examples of solids, liquids and gases found in their environment.
- State the arrangement of particles in solids, liquids and gases.
Introduction to Matter
Everything around us occupies space and has weight or mass. The chair you sit on, the water you drink, the air you breathe, the books you read and even your body are all examples of matter.
Matter exists in different forms known as states of matter. The three common states of matter are:
Understanding matter and its states helps us explain many natural phenomena and everyday activities.
Meaning of Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
This means that any object that weighs something and takes up space is matter.
Examples of Matter
- Water
- Air
- Stone
- Wood
- Iron
- Sand
- Human body
- Milk
- Kerosene
- Oxygen
Things That Are Not Matter
The following are not matter because they do not occupy space or have mass:
- Light
- Heat
- Sound
- Electricity
- Magnetism
Characteristics of Matter
Matter has the following characteristics:
1. Matter Occupies Space
Every material object takes up space.
Example:
A table occupies space in a room.
2. Matter Has Mass
Matter possesses mass which can be measured using a balance.
Example:
A bag of rice weighs more than an empty bag.
3. Matter Has Weight
Weight is the force with which the earth pulls an object.
4. Matter Is Made Up of Tiny Particles
Matter is composed of very tiny particles called atoms and molecules.
These particles are too small to be seen with the naked eyes.
5. Matter Can Change From One State to Another
Water can change from:
- Ice (solid)
- Water (liquid)
- Water vapour (gas)
States of Matter
The three common states of matter are:
- Solid
- Liquid
- Gas
1. Solid
A solid is a state of matter that has a definite shape and a definite volume.
The particles in solids are tightly packed together and vibrate in fixed positions.
Characteristics of Solids
- Have a fixed shape.
- Have a fixed volume.
- Cannot flow.
- Difficult to compress.
- Particles are closely packed.
- Strong force of attraction exists between particles.
Examples of Solids
- Stone
- Chalk
- Iron rod
- Wood
- Book
- Spoon
- Pencil
- Brick
- Ice block
- Coin
Arrangement of Particles in Solids
In solids:
- Particles are very close together.
- They are arranged in an orderly manner.
- They vibrate about fixed positions.
- The force of attraction between particles is very strong.
Because the particles are tightly packed, solids maintain their shape.
2. Liquid
A liquid is a state of matter that has a definite volume but no definite shape.
Liquids take the shape of the container in which they are placed.
Characteristics of Liquids
- Have fixed volume.
- Have no fixed shape.
- Flow easily.
- Can be poured.
- Slightly compressible.
- Particles are loosely packed.
Examples of Liquids
- Water
- Milk
- Palm oil
- Kerosene
- Petrol
- Blood
- Fruit juice
- Honey
- Groundnut oil
- Alcohol
Arrangement of Particles in Liquids
In liquids:
- Particles are close together.
- They are not fixed.
- They move freely from one place to another.
- The force of attraction is weaker than in solids.
This allows liquids to flow and take the shape of their containers.
3. Gas
A gas is a state of matter that has neither definite shape nor definite volume.
Gases spread to fill every part of the container in which they are kept.
Characteristics of Gases
- No fixed shape.
- No fixed volume.
- Easily compressed.
- Flow freely.
- Occupy all available space.
- Particles are far apart.
- Weak force of attraction between particles.
Examples of Gases
- Air
- Oxygen
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Water vapour
- Hydrogen
- Helium
- Cooking gas
Arrangement of Particles in Gases
In gases:
- Particles are far apart.
- They move randomly and rapidly.
- There is a very weak force of attraction between them.
- The particles collide with one another continuously.
This is why gases spread quickly and occupy all available space.
Comparison Between Solids, Liquids and Gases
| Property |
Solid |
Liquid |
Gas |
| Shape |
Definite |
No definite shape |
No definite shape |
| Volume |
Definite |
Definite |
No definite volume |
| Arrangement of particles |
Closely packed |
Loosely packed |
Far apart |
| Compressibility |
Very difficult |
Slight |
Easy |
| Ability to flow |
Cannot flow |
Can flow |
Can flow |
| Force of attraction |
Strong |
Moderate |
Weak |
Interconversion of States of Matter
Matter can change from one state to another when heated or cooled.
1. Melting
Melting is the process by which a solid changes into a liquid when heated.
Example:
Ice → Water
2. Freezing
Freezing is the process by which a liquid changes into a solid when cooled.
Example:
Water → Ice
3. Evaporation
Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes into gas.
Example:
Water → Water vapour
4. Condensation
Condensation is the process by which gas changes into liquid.
Example:
Water vapour → Water droplets
5. Sublimation
Sublimation is the direct change of a solid into gas without passing through the liquid state.
Examples:
- Camphor
- Naphthalene balls
- Dry ice
Importance of Studying Matter
The study of matter helps us to:
- Understand the environment.
- Explain changes occurring around us.
- Manufacture useful products.
- Improve agricultural practices.
- Develop medicines.
- Understand industrial processes.
- Improve technology.
Classroom Activities
The teacher should:
- Show students a stone, water and air in a balloon.
- Ask students to identify which is solid, liquid or gas.
- Pour water into different containers to show that liquids have no fixed shape.
- Inflate a balloon to show that gases occupy space.
- Allow students to observe ice melting into water.
Conclusion
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter exists mainly in three states: solid, liquid and gas. Solids have definite shape and volume, liquids have definite volume but no definite shape, while gases have neither definite shape nor definite volume. Matter can change from one state to another through processes such as melting, freezing, evaporation and condensation.
Evaluation
Answer the following questions:
- What is matter?
- State three characteristics of matter.
- Mention the three states of matter.
- Give five examples each of solids, liquids and gases.
- Differentiate between solids and liquids.
- Explain the arrangement of particles in gases.
- Define melting and freezing.
- State two differences between liquids and gases.
Objective Questions
Choose the correct answer from the options A – D.
- Matter is anything that ______.
A. gives light
B. has mass and occupies space
C. produces sound
D. has colour
Answer: B
- Which of the following is not matter?
A. Water
B. Air
C. Heat
D. Stone
Answer: C
- Which state of matter has a definite shape and volume?
A. Gas
B. Liquid
C. Solid
D. Plasma
Answer: C
- Which of the following is a liquid?
A. Iron
B. Water
C. Stone
D. Chalk
Answer: B
- Which of these is a gas?
A. Milk
B. Water
C. Oxygen
D. Palm oil
Answer: C
- The particles in solids are ______.
A. Far apart
B. Closely packed
C. Randomly arranged
D. Widely separated
Answer: B
- Liquids have ______.
A. Definite shape only
B. Definite volume only
C. No volume
D. No mass
Answer: B
- The process by which ice changes to water is called ______.
A. Freezing
B. Condensation
C. Melting
D. Sublimation
Answer: C
- Which state of matter occupies all available space?
A. Solid
B. Liquid
C. Gas
D. Ice
Answer: C
- Water vapour changing to water is called ______.
A. Condensation
B. Evaporation
C. Melting
D. Freezing
Answer: A
Essay Questions
-
Define matter and explain its characteristics.
-
Describe the three states of matter and give five examples of each.
-
Differentiate between solids, liquids and gases using a table.
-
Explain the arrangement of particles in solids, liquids and gases.
-
Describe the processes involved in the interconversion of matter.
Assignment
-
State five examples each of solids, liquids and gases found in your home.
-
Draw a table showing the differences between solids, liquids and gases.
-
Explain the following terms:
a. Melting
b. Freezing
c. Evaporation
d. Condensation
e. Sublimation
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