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Using the State Curriculum: Science, Grade 5

Skills and Processes | Earth/Space | Life | Chemistry | Physics | Environmental
Clarifications: Each clarification provides an explanation of an indicator/objective to help teachers better understand the skills and/or concepts.

Standard 4.0 Chemistry

Topic C. States of Matter

Indicator 1. Provide evidence from investigations to identify the processes that can be used to change materials from one state of matter to another.

Objective a. Observe and describe the changes heating and cooling cause to the different states in which water exists.

  • Heating causes: ice (solid) to melt forming liquid water; liquid water to evaporate forming water vapor (gas).
  • Cooling causes: liquid water to freeze forming ice (solid); water vapor (gas) to form liquid water.

Clarification

Heating and cooling cause changes in the properties of materials. When liquid water disappears, it turns into a gas (vapor) in the air and can reappear as a liquid when cooled, or a solid if cooled below the freezing point of water. Water turns from a solid to a liquid when it absorbs enough heat. If it absorbs even more heat, the water will turn to a gas (steam or vapor). Melting and boiling points are the temperatures at which matter changes state.

Classroom Example

CHANGE OF STATE OF WATER

State of Water Type of Change Result
Water (liquid) Add heat Gas
Ice (solid) Add heat Liquid
Vapor/steam (gas) Cool / remove heat Liquid
Water (liquid) Cool / remove heat Solid
/instruction/clarification/science/grade5/xml/4C1a.xml
Resources for Objective 4.C.1.a:
CLARIFICATIONS | Lesson Seeds | Public Release Items |