Science Adventurers: Classifying Matter

Drexel wiggled his claws. "OR… let’s play a game right now! Everyone, hold up your hands. If you hear something that’s magnetic, clap your hands together like you’re sticking to it. If it’s NOT magnetic, keep your hands apart. Ready?"

He listed a few objects:

• A paperclip?
• A wooden spoon?
• A refrigerator?
• A basketball?

Liam giggled as he clapped for paperclip and refridgerator and kept his hands apart for the others. "That was fun!"

"And that’s how scientists classify matter—by testing its properties!" Chance said proudly.

"Okay, now I want to do an experiment at home!" Liam said eagerly.

"Perfect! Here’s a fun one to try," Chance said. "You’ll need a clear cup of water, a spoonful of salt, a paperclip, and a small object like a piece of plastic."

"Ooooh, what are we testing?" Liam asked.

"Solubility and density!" Chance explained. "First, drop in the paperclip. Does it sink or float? Now, drop in the plastic piece. Does it float? Last, stir in the salt and see what happens. Does the salt dissolve?"

 

(5) Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has measurable physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed, and used. The student is expected to: 

(A) classify matter based on measurable, testable, and observable physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating using water as a reference point), solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy;