Vocabulary
Observing Matter
Atoms & Molecules
Solve the Situation
100

This is when you use a tool such as a scale or ruler to gather information about matter.  

What is MEASURE/MEASURING?

100

Name 3 physical properties of matter. 

Possible Answers include:

What is: color, weight, shape, smell, texture, melting point, boiling point, hardness, magnetism, conductivity, solubility...

100

This is the smallest part of an element that still has all of the properties of the element. It is too small to be seen without a special microscope.  

What is an ATOM?

100

When you pick up a hot pan with a cloth oven mitt, your hands are protected from being burned. What property of he cloth makes this possible?

The cloth is NOT a good conductor of heat. 

Bonus points if you explain that the cloth is an INSULATOR.

200

This word means: to use your senses to gather information. 

What is OBSERVE?

200

Is there matter that cannot be seen? Give an example.

Yes. Air/oxygen/many gasses...

200

This law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed

What is the LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MATTER

200

Two identical-looking blocks are painted black. They are the same width, length, and height. They both look smooth. They both smell like the paint. You know that one is actually wood, and the other is lead. What could you do to know which is which? How would doing this solve the mystery?

What is: I could pick them up OR I could weigh them. The heavier block would be made of lead and the lighter block would be the wood. 

300

This is what we call matter that a magnet will stick to. 

What is MAGNETIC?

300

You use your five _______ to quickly observe matter. 

What are SENSES?

300

This is matter that is made of two or more atoms.

What is a MOLECULE?

300

A scientist is working in a lab, combining elements to make new matter. She combines Chloride--a green, poisonous gas, with Sodium--a poisonous silver solid. She tasted her creation--delicious! What has she just made? Why is she able to eat these two poisonous materials??

What is: She had made Sodium Chloride, which is table salt!

She can eat it because elements can combine to make matter that has completely different properties that the original elements of which it is made. 

400

This is matter that transfers energy very easily.

What is a CONDUCTOR?

400

This is a property of matter that you can observe by touching the matter, but is best observed by using a thermometer.

What is TEMPERATURE?

400

WATER is formed by which TWO elements?

What are HYDROGEN and OXYGEN?

400

Sally bought an old lamp from the antique store. She goes to plug it in, but notices that the plastic around the plug is old and cracked, and the wire inside is exposed. Why is this dangerous?

The plastic is there to act as a insulator, and protect your hand from the metal conducting electricity to your hand and shocking you when you plug in the lamp. 

500

This is the definition of solubility. 

What is: how well one material will dissolve in another material, such as water.

500

Give an example of a time when observing the color of something would be important to your health or safety?

Possible answers include:
-Telling a fresh red apple apart from a brown rotten one that could make you sick.
-Knowing if a traffic light is red or green when you are driving.
-Seeing the colors of a spider or snake to know whether or not it is poisonous.

500
Name a science tool that allows you to magnify matter.

Possible answers include: A hand lens/magnifying glass, or a microscope.

500

Fred walked to the grocery store on a cold winter day to get some balloons for this birthday party. As he walked back home, he noticed the balloons started to droop. They were smaller and not floating as high. When Fred walked into his house, he was sad about his balloons and left them in the warm kitchen while he finished decorating. When he returned to the kitchen, the balloons were again fully inflated and flying high! Can you explain what happened and why this happened with Fred's balloons?

Gas molecules move faster and expand when warm, and slow down and compress when cold. The cold balloons were full of molecules moving slowly and close together. As the balloons warmed up in the kitchen, the molecules started moving faster and expanding, pushing the balloons to look fuller and fly higher.