Bridge Program in Science

UNIT III
MODULE 4

Matter: Here, There, and Everywhere

What comes to your mind when you see or hear the word “matter”? Trees, stones, rocks,
cement, shirt, pants, carabao, and man are examples of matter. The air you breathe, the clouds in
the sky, the gases from the volcano, and the water in the river are also matter. You see matter
everywhere.

The list of examples seems endless. What have been mentioned is only a small part of the
millions of matter that now exist. How can you study everything about matter? No way can you
know all about them in one or two years. You will be learning about them all your life. You have
already started your study in elementary science. You will continue this study in this module and in
all the succeeding modules.

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What this module is all about

One of the ways scientists study matter is by classifying them into groups. In this
module you will classify matter into solids, liquids, and gases. They are also referred to as
the three states of matter. You will differentiate them based on their observable properties.
Then you will also relate these properties to their common uses.

What you are expected to learn

After going through this module, you should be able to:

1. Identify matter found in environment;

2. Differentiate solids, liquids, and gases based on their properties;
2.1 Describe the properties of solids;
2.1.1 Identify the properties of different solids.
2.1.2 Compare the properties of different solids.
2.2 Describe the properties of liquids;
2.2.1 Identify the properties of different liquids.
2.2.2 Compare the properties of different liquids.
2.3 Describe the properties of gases;
2.3.1 Identify the properties of different liquids.
2.3.1 Compare the properties of some gases;
3. Discuss the importance of solids, liquids, and gases in everyday life;

How to learn from this module

1. You will successfully achieve the objectives of this module if you will go through the
lessons thoroughly and follow instructions correctly.

2. Understand the following concepts/ideas:

Concepts/Ideas Meaning
Matter Anything that has mass and occupies space. It has three
state, namely, solid, liquid, and gas.
Solids Keep their shape unless they are broken. They do not flow.
They occupy definite volume and cannot be compressed.
Liquids Do not keep their shape, they take the shape of the
container they are in. They flow but they cannot be
compressed.
Gases Do not keep their shape, they completely fill the container
they are in. They flow, and spread out quickly from where
they started. They can be compressed into much smaller
volume.

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What do you already know

There are questions found on page 22. You have to answer these questions
before you start with the lessons. Write your answers on a separate sheet of pad paper and
submit to your teacher when you are through.

What you should learn

Lesson 4.1 Characteristics of Solids

Figure 4.1 Different solids

Are you familiar with the solid materials in Figure 4.1? Are they all hard? Maybe not.
Stones and wood are hard, while flour and leaves are soft. Some plastics are also soft. Are
they all heavy? Maybe not. Stones are heavy while leaves are light. What then are the
characteristics that are common to all solids? What makes them different form liquids and
gases?

Do Activity 4.1 before you continue with the lesson. Refer to pages 10 - 11.
Return to this page after the post discussion with your teacher.

Solids may vary in color, shape, hardness, texture, and size. All solids occupy space
and the space they occupy is based on their size and shape and not on the container they
are placed in. Solids have definite size and shape. They do not take the shape and size of

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the container. Solids can be poured from a container but they do not flow like water. Solids
vary in heaviness even if they occupy the same space.

You have studied and compared the characteristics of wood and clay. You
need to study other solids and see if the generalization you made applies to
these solids and not just to wood and clay. Do Exercise 4.1 on pages 16 -
17. Return to this page when you are through with the exercise.
Lesson 4.2 Characteristics of Liquids
You are familiar with the liquids shown in Figure 4.2. Examine each of them.
Describe their characteristics. Do their characteristics differ? What characteristic is common
to all of them? Do they occupy space as solids do? Do they also have definite shape? You
will have the chance to examine these liquids closely in Activity 4.2. Do this activity first
before you continue with the lesson . Refer to pages 12-13.

Figure 4.2 Examples of Liquids

Water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Vinegar tastes sour and has a
characteristic smell. Some kinds of vinegar are colorless while others are white. Orange juice
is basically sour and pale yellow in color. Some kinds of coconut oil are colorless, others are
pale yellow. They are sticky and do not flow as fast as water. Dishwashing liquid is slippery
to touch. Manufacturers put different colors and perfumes to dishwashing liquids to make

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them appealing to users. Thus, liquids vary in color, taste, smell, and feel because of their
constituent substances.

Stop at this point and go to pages 12 – 13. Do Activity 4.2, Characteristics of

Liquids. You will handle actual liquids in this activity. You will study other
characteristics of liquids and see how different they are from solids. Return
to this section after your discussion with your teacher.

Liquids, like solids, occupy space. But unlike solids, they have no definite shape.
Liquids assume the shape if their containers. For example, if you have a 1 litre bottle and you
fill it with water up to the brim, the space that the water occupies is equal also to one litre. If
you transfer this water to a medium-sized pail, the shape of the water changes from that of
the bottle to that of the pail. The water will assume the shape of the space in the pail that it
occupies. But that space is still I litre, equal to the space it originally occupied in the bottle.

Liquids can flow freely so it can easily spread out on surfaces of solids. It can be
absorbed by porous solids like tissue paper.

For more on the characteristics of liquids, go to pages 18-19. Do Exercise

4.2 before you proceed to the next topic. This will help you check how much
you have understood the characteristics of liquids.

Lesson 4.3 Characteristics of Gases

In what way do gases resemble solids and liquids? In what way do they differ?
Examine the examples of gases in Figure 3.3. Are you familiar with these gases? Why are
some gases placed in tightly-covered containers? Where do gases come from?

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Figure 4.3 Examples of Gases
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You will be able to examine some of these gases in Activity 4.3, pages 14 –
15. Do this activity first then return to this section after your discussion with
your teacher.

Oxygen in oxygen tanks, helium in balloons, water vapor from boiling water, carbon
dioxide from burning fuels, neon in neon lamps, carbon monoxide from vehicles, chlorine in
swimming pools are examples of gases. You cannot see gases but you can feel them. There
are some gases that you cannot see but you can smell.

Gases are similar to solids and liquids because they also occupy space. However,
unlike solids and liquids, they can occupy the entire space available in a given container
because they have no definite shape. Gases assume the shape of the container. Gases can
also be compressed into s smaller space.

Do Exercise 4.3 on pages 20 – 21 for more on characteristics of gases.

Importance of Solids, Liquids, and Gases in Our Lives

Can you sit or sleep on a liquid or gas? Can you take a bath
with a solid alone? Will you be able to stay alive without a gas? We
cannot live without the three states of matter.

See a wooden chair in Figure 4.4. Imagine what it would be like if the
chair was made from water or any other liquid. Would it keep its shape?
Would it support your weight? Can you stay long on it? Would it stay where
you put it?

Think about the parts of a bicycle or a

Figure 4.4 tricycle. Why are the frames, tires,
A wooden chair handles, pedals, seats, and roof made from
solids?

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The many uses of plastics require these materials to be in solid form. Plastics are
created with specific properties designed for specific uses. Examples are the polyethylene
plastics for packaging. Polyethylene is the material from which most plastics in the homes
are made. It produces a plastic film that stretches and
can be either transparent or opaque, or hard enough to Figure 4.5 A tricycle
be made into pipes that carry drinking water or tanks
that hold gasoline; or bottles that hold almost all kinds of liquids such as milk, juices,
shampoos, detergents, cosmetics, oil, vinegar, acids, and many, many more.

More and more, people are turning to plastic packaging because it:
 protects food – plastic wraps allow food to retain its freshness. Resealable plastic
bags allow easy access while protecting food form rapid decay;
 resists breakage – plastics that resist breakage, folding or bending are safe for use in
kitchen, bath, or laundry; and
 makes handling easier – plastic cups, plates, and bowls, for example, are light
weight than corresponding kitchen made of porcelain. They are easier to handle and
unbreakable saving both effort and money;

Other kinds of plastics are made by combining plastics with other types of materials
under varying conditions like increase or decrease in pressure and temperature to produce
other products with specific uses. In the medical field, some types of plastics are produced to
make health-care functions easier, safer, and less painful.

 tubing requires plastics that will bend but not break;

 medical packing requires plastic that can conform to any shape and protect against
contamination; and
 filtering devices require plastic that is transparent, can be sterilized and can be
precisely molded into other shapes.

You go to a typical workplace and you will see plastics in use everywhere by
everybody.

 Teachers –writing surfaces that can be erased by lifting, notebook cover, rulers,
desks, chairs, and classroom computers, as well as in the cafeteria and on the
athletic fields.;
 Farmers – pipes for irrigation and tools;
 Factory Workers – The pulleys and gears of the
assembly line, tanks and pipes that can resist corrosion and chemical action; and in
safety glasses;
 Football Players – Plastic helmets and pads, nets, and
goal frames;
 Office workers – tables and chairs; the telephone
system; the computers and their floppy/optical discs; the business machines and
office supplies; the flooring and wall coverings;

Solids are used when we need something to keep its shape or to support something
permanently. This is because they keep their shape, stay where they are put, and cannot be
compressed or deformed permanently. Large changes in temperature or pressure can cause
solids to permanently change its shape.

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Q1. Give at least 3 objects that are made of solids, other than those already
mentioned, which can not be replaced by either liquid or gas. Include their uses.

What would you feel if suddenly all the available liquid water turned to ice? What
would you use to quench your thirst? What general characteristics of liquids are important for
their use as drinks? Your body needs liquid water to dissolve the minerals and move to
different parts of your body including the blood. A drink has to be liquid.

What would you use for taking a bath or washing your clothes If all the liquid water
turned to ice? Think why swimming pools are filled with liquid water, or why the seas,
oceans, rivers, and lakes must have liquid water at all times?

Q2. What would happen if all the seas, oceans, rivers, and lakes suddenly run dry?

Liquids are used where we need something to flow, that is, when we need to make a
drink. For example, we extract the liquid part of fresh fruits and add it to water so we can
drink fresh fruit juices (See Figure 4.6).

Figure 4.6 Pineapple juice Figure 4.7 Gulaman

Q3. Give at least 3 objects that are made of liquids, or solids that must be changed into
liquids, which can not be replaced by either liquid or gas. Include their uses

We use liquids when we need to take up the shape of a container such as a mold. A
good example of this is in making jelly or gulaman. The solid or powdered gulaman must be
turned into a liquid by dissolving it in water, then placing into molds of different sizes and
shapes (See Figure 4.7). The liquid takes the shape and size of the mold. When the liquid is
left to cool, it returns to solid and keeps the shape when removed from the mold.

Q4. A squirt or two of air freshener or perfume at one end of a room make the
whole room smell better? What characteristics of gases are important here?

Q5. Now think why you avoid passing by places full of garbage? Maybe you are
repelled the bad smell? Why is it that cigarette smoke is harmful to both smoker
and non-smoker?

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Q6. What are the gases that you are familiar with? You have seen steam coming out of a
kettle of boiling water?

Gases are used when we need something to spring back after it has been squashed
as in a flat tire. Gases are also used when we need something to spread out as when you
are using an insect spray to kill more insects or hair spray to keep the hair in place. This is
because gases can be compressed by applying force on it, and when you release the force
that is compressing it, it will go back to its original state. If gas is released from a container, it
will spread out wherever it can so if you spray some insect killer at one end of the room,
given time, it will spread throughout the room.

Summary of concepts

1. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. It has three states, namely,
solid, liquid, and gas.

2. Solids may vary in characteristics such as color, shape, hardness, texture, and size.
But all solids have definite size and shape. They occupy spaces that depend on their
own size and shape and not on the size and shape of their containers. They keep
their shape unless they are broken; They do not flow; They cannot be compressed.

3. Liquids like solids, occupy space. But unlike solids, they do not keep their shape.
They take the shape of the containers they are in. They can flow freely so it they can
easily spread out on surfaces of solids. Porous solids like tissue paper can absorb
them. They cannot be compressed into smaller volume.

4. You cannot see gases but you can feel them. There are some gases that you cannot
see but you can smell. Gases are similar to solids and liquids because they also
occupy space. However, unlike solids and liquids, they can completely occupy the
space available in a given container. Gases have no definite shape. Gases assume
the shape of the container. Gases can also be compressed into s smaller space.

5. Solids are used when we need something to keep its shape or to support something
permanently.

6. Liquids are used where we need something to flow, that is, when we need to make a
drink. For example, we extract the liquid part of fresh fruits and add it to water so we
can drink fresh fruit juices. We also use liquids when we need to take up the shape of
a container such as a mold.

7. Gases are used when we need something to spring back after it has been squashed
as in a flat tire. Gases are also used when we need something to spread out as when
you are using an insect or hair spray.

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Activity 4.1
Characteristics of Solids

Materials

clay stones
small block of wood 2 transparent wide-mouthed bottles

Procedure

1. Get the plastic bag containing various materials from your teacher.

2. Get the clay. Note down its color of the clay. Squeeze it with your hand. Press it with a
stone. Stretch it to the limit. Describe what happens to the clay.

a. List your observations about the clay.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

b. Do all clays have the same color? Compare your clay with those of your
classmates.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

3. Get a small block of wood. Shape your clay to the same size and shape of the block of
wood. Compare their color, feel, texture.

c. Do the clay and wood have the same appearance? If not, how are they different?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

4. Place the solids in separate bottles. Compare their shapes and the spaces they occupy
in their respective bottles.

d. Do wood and clay occupy the same space? Are the spaces they occupy the same
as the space occupied by the bottle? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

5. Pour clay and wood out of their containers.

e. Can solids flow? Describe how the solids behaved when they were poured out of
their containers.
_______________________________________________________________________
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f. Which is heavier, the clay or block of wood? Does heaviness relate t the shape or
size of the solid?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Analyze all your observations. Look for patterns that will help you derive your
definition of solids.

Data

Observations
Activity
Wood Clay

Procedure 2

Procedure 3

Procedure 4

Procedure 5

Generalization

What are the general characteristics of solids?

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Activity 4.2
Characteristics of Liquids

Materials

water vinegar alcohol

cooking oil marker 3 transparent bottles
3 transparent bottles tissue paper (different shapes)
(equal sized, same shape)

Procedure

1. Label three transparent bottles (different shapes) A, B, and C.

2. Fill bottle A three-fourth’s full of a water. Mark the level of water on the container.

a. Describe the characteristics of water.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

3. Transfer the water in bottle A into bottle B. Mark the level of the water.

b. Describe the shape of water. Is the shape of water the same as in bottle A?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

4. Transfer the water in bottle into bottle C. Mark the level of the water.

c. Describe the shape of water. Is the shape of water the same as in bottle B?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

d. Does water have a definite shape?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

5. Repeat procedures 2-4 with vinegar. You can use the same bottles you used for water.

d. Do liquids have definite shape like solids? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

6. Label two transparent bottles (same shape) D and E. Half-fill bottle D with alcohol and
bottle E with cooking oil. Examine the liquids.

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f. Do the liquids have the same shape? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

g. Do the liquids occupy the same space? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

7. Place a few drops of water on top of a tissue paper. Observe what happens.

h. Describe the shape of water. Does it have the same shape as the water in a bottle.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

8. Repeat procedure 7 using cooking oil.

i. Compare your observations with those of water.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Data

Observations
Activity
water vinegar alcohol cooking oil

Procedure 3

Procedure 4

Procedure 5

Procedure 6

Procedure 7

Procedure 8

Generalization

What do your observations tell about a liquid?

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Activity 4.3
Characteristics of Gases

Materials

balloon (lightweight) baking soda vinegar

hot water candle handkerchief
plastic syringe rubber stopper 3 bottles (same size)
clean plastic spoons

Procedure

1. Place a piece of handkerchief over an electric fan. Turn on the electric fan.

a. Describe what happens to the handkerchief. What caused the handkerchief to

move?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

2. Put a rubber stopper in the tip of a plastic syringe to cover the opening. Be sure that the
rubber prevents the escape of air from the syringe. Then push the plunger as far as you
can without removing the rubber cover.

b. Why can you not push the plunger all the way to the to the other end?
______________________________________________________________________

c. Describe what happens to the air inside the syringe.

______________________________________________________________________

d. Does air take up space? What is the shape of air in the syringe?
______________________________________________________________________

3. Pull the plunger all the way to the top without removing it from the syringe, then push it
down to the middle.

e. What happens to space occupied by air when you push the plunger? How about
when you pull the plunger?
______________________________________________________________________
4. Place some vinegar in a small bottle.

f. Describe the vinegar.

_______________________________________________________________________

g. Describe the baking soda.

_______________________________________________________________________

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5. Mix some baking soda with the vinegar in the bottle.

h. What happens to the vinegar and baking soda?

_______________________________________________________________________

i. Do you see anything coming out of the mixture? How would you describe it? What do
you think is it?
_______________________________________________________________________

j. Can you produce a gas by combining at least 2 different substances?

_______________________________________________________________________

k. How can you keep a gas that you produce? Why must a balloon closed tightly with a
rubber band or thread?
_______________________________________________________________________

l. What do your observations tell you about a gas?

________________________________________________________________________

Data

Generalization

What do your observations tell about gases?

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Exercise 4.1
More About Solids

1. You have already encountered the following solids:

leaves rubber ball marbles

table salt flour stones
plastic spoons paper coins
handkerchief drinking glass rice grains

2. Describe the characteristics of each solid. Use your five senses to describe each.

leaves ________________________________________________________________

paper ________________________________________________________________

table salt ______________________________________________________________

flour __________________________________________________________________

rubber ball _____________________________________________________________

marbles _______________________________________________________________

coins _________________________________________________________________

stones ________________________________________________________________

plastic spoons __________________________________________________________

rice grains _____________________________________________________________

handkerchief ____________________________________________________________

drinking glass __________________________________________________________

2. Compare your observations. Do all solids have the same characteristics? Explain.
______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

3. Which of the solids can be crumpled?

______________________________________________________________________

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4. Which of the solids can be torn with bare hands?

______________________________________________________________________

5. Which of the solids can be cut with scissors?

______________________________________________________________________

6. Which of the solids can be broken with bare hands?

______________________________________________________________________

7. Which of the solids can be broken with the aid of a big stone or hammer?
______________________________________________________________________

8. Which of the solids can flow by pouring?

______________________________________________________________________

9. Which of the solids can be wet with water?

______________________________________________________________________

10. Which of the solids can be rolled?

______________________________________________________________________

11. Which of the solids can be eaten?

______________________________________________________________________

12. Which of the solids can be used for writing?

______________________________________________________________________

13. Which of the solids are in powder form? In grain form?

______________________________________________________________________

14. Do solids have different shapes? Are these shapes changed when they are transferred to
another container?
______________________________________________________________________

16. Do solids have different sizes? Are these sizes changed when they are transferred to
another container?
______________________________________________________________________

17. Do solids occupy spaces? Do their shapes and sizes depend on the spaces they
occupy?
______________________________________________________________________

18. Describe the general characteristics of solids.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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Exercise 4.2
More About Liquids

1. You have already encountered the following liquids:

water milk kalamansi juice

detergent liquid fish sauce (patis) 2 transparent bottles
(different shapes)

2. Describe the characteristics of each liquid. Use your five senses to describe each.

milk __________________________________________________________________

kalamansi juice ________________________________________________________

detergent liquid _________________________________________________________

fish sauce (patis) ________________________________________________________

3. There are two bottles, X and Y, half-filled with water as in the diagrams below:

X Y

4. Do the water in Bottles X and Y have the same shape? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

5. Do the water in Bottles X and Y occupy the same space? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

6. Will the shape of water in Bottle X be changed if it is transferred to Bottle Y? What will
happen to the water in Bottle Y?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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7. If a piece of stone is placed in an empty Bottle X, what would happen to the shape of the
stone? Would the shape and size of stone change if it is transferred to Bottle Y?
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

8. There are two bottles, R and S, with the same amount of liquids as shown in the
diagrams below:

R S

9. Do the liquids in Bottles R and S have the same shape? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

10. Do the liquids in Bottles R and S occupy the same space? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

11. Will the shape of the liquid in Bottle S be changed if it is transferred to Bottle R? What will
happen to the liquid in Bottle R?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

12. What does this exercise tell about a liquid?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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Exercise 4.3
More About Gases

1. Try to grab some air.

a. Can you feel air? Can you hold it? Can you see it?
_______________________________________________________________________

b. Describe the shape of air. Can you feel the shape of air?
_______________________________________________________________________

2. Cover 2 bottles (same size) with a notebook.

c. What is inside each bottle?

_______________________________________________________________________

d. Compare the shapes and amount of air in the bottles.

_______________________________________________________________________

4. You are familiar with some of the gases listed below:

methane oxygen nitrogen
carbon dioxide chlorine helium

Identify the gas that is referred to by each use given below. By writing the namne of the
gas.

e. The most familiar gas that is required by animals including man is __________.
f. The gas present in largest quantity in air is _________________.
g. Familiar items such as candles, gas stoves, and wood will not burn without this
gas_______________.
h. One of the important ingredients in photosynthesis is ______________.
i. The gas which is used to fill up balloons because it is lighter than air is __________.
j. The gas which is used to disinfect water particularly in swimming pools is ________.
k. The bubbles in soda, soft drinks, and beer are actually bubbles of the gas _______.
l. The gas that comes from decaying garbage and is used as fuel is ______________.
m. The gas that is responsible for the greenhouse effect is ______________________.
n. The gas that forms rust with water and iron is __________________.
o. The gas that is found in fire extinguishers is __________________.
p. The gas that is used in making agricultural fertilizers is _______________.

5. Find out something about each of these gases. Write the necessary information in the
gas cloud.

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Hydrogen
Argon

Neon
Ozone

Carbon monoxide

What are the

names of some
other gases?

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What you have learned

1. Which of the following situations illustrates that gas spreads and occupies the entire
space it is contained.
a. You taste the sweetness of sugar .
b. You smell the aroma of brewed coffee.
c. You see garbage spreading in a river.
d. You see soap bubbles spreading in a basin full of detergent.

2. Why can’t a metal that is used as electrical wires be in liquid form? Liquid metal
a. is too shiny.
b. cannot conduct electricity.
c. cannot be placed in a container.
d. cannot be pulled into wire nor bent.

3. If you want to make gulamsn, what should the mold be made of?
a. Solid
b. Liquid
c. Gas
d. Either solid or liquid.

4. Given two small transparent bottles, pair of scissors, and two solids - a piece of
stone and a piece of dry leaf. Describe how you can show that the two solids a) have
a similar characteristics, and b) have two different characteristics that differentiate
them from each other.

5. Given two small transparent bottle, pair of scissors, paper and water. Give at lest
three characteristics that show that paper is a solid and water is a liquid.

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