Matter & Materials
What is matter?
Anything that takes up space and can be measured by its weight or mass
What are properties?
Characteristics that describe matter in a way that is observable and measurable.
What is water treatment?
The process of changing water to make it healthy.
What are constraints?
Things that limit a design.
What is a nurse log?
A fallen tree that helps new plants grow by providing nutrients and shelter.
What is a particle?
A tiny piece of matter that is too small to be seen with our eyes
Which property tells us how heavy something is?
Mass or weight
What is a solar still?
A simple device that makes water healthier by heating it with the sun’s energy.
What is the water cycle?
The movement of water on Earth.
What is a rollie pollie?
A small crustacean that rolls into a ball when scared.
What is a material?
Something that is made out of matter that has identifiable properties
Is color a physical property we can observe?
Yes
Which Earth material is best for filtering water: pebbles or topsoil?
Pebbles
What is evaporation?
When water changes into water vapor
What are different names for rollie pollies?
Pill bug, woodlouse, doodle bug, potato bug.
What is a substance?
One material that has specific properties.
Name two properties you could use to describe a rock
Size, color, texture, mass, etc.
Why is topsoil important to plants?
It contains nutrients plants need to grow.
What are the three main states of matter?
Solid, liquid, gas
Why are rollie pollies important to the environment?
They help break down dead plants and recycle nutrients.
What is a mixture?
When something is made of more than one material.
Why are properties important when identifying materials?
They help us compare and tell materials apart
Why might food coloring be used in a water experiment?
To observe movement, mixing, or filtering.
Which state of matter has a fixed shape?
Solid
Where do pill bugs like to live?
Dark, damp places