Source: Lessons in Matter and Energy
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Lessons in Matter and Energy, from WOSU Public Media, is a series of eight learning modules that demonstrate physical science concepts and phenomena. The series captures some of the most engaging demonstrations presented at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus. The demonstrations clarify essential properties of matter and the nature and transfer of energy. Accompanying each module is a Teacher’s Guide, on video, and a set of assessment tools which include suggested tasks to test comprehension, a scoring rubric and a student booklet. Lessons in Matter and Energy is intended to complement curricular resources in grades 4 to 8.
Teacher's Guide Video (Video)
Assessment (Document)
Student Booklet (Document)
Matter has several states— solid, liquid, and gas. Each state of matter has unique physical characteristics associated with it. A solid has molecules that are packed tightly together and are moving very slowly. The closer the molecules are, the harder the object. Solids can also hold their shape. Liquids are free flowing and will take on the shape of a container. Molecules in a liquid are further apart and are moving faster than in a solid. Gases are everywhere. Molecules in a gas are farthest apart and moving the most rapidly of all the states of matter. They can also fill a container of any size or shape.
Physical changes in matter are reversible and can include changes in color, shape, size, texture and state of matter. In this demonstration, a banana is used to illustrate simple physical change. Like any organic matter, it is composed mostly of water. A banana is frozen in liquid nitrogen and used to hammer a nail into a piece of wood. It retains its essential properties in the process.
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