3rd Grade Science

Investigating ecosystems, matter, and energy through hands-on experiments and observations.

Exploring EcosystemsStates of MatterSources and Forms of Energy
Food Chains and Food WebsThe Water CycleProperties of Materials
Making a Mini-TerrariumInvestigating Heat and MeltingBuilding a Simple Food Web
Observation and Note-TakingAsking Scientific Questions
Exploring EcosystemsStates of MatterSources and Forms of...Food Chains and Food...The Water CycleProperties of Materi...Making a Mini-Terrar...Investigating Heat a...Building a Simple Fo...Observation and Note...Asking Scientific Qu...
Basic Concepts

States of Matter

What is Matter?

Matter is anything that takes up space and has weight. Everything around you—your desk, water in a glass, the air you breathe—is matter!

Three Main States

  • Solid: Has a definite shape and volume (like an ice cube).
  • Liquid: Takes the shape of its container but keeps the same volume (like juice).
  • Gas: Has no definite shape or volume, and spreads out to fill any space (like the air).

Changing States

Matter can change from one state to another when you heat or cool it! This is called a change of state.

  • Melting: Solid to liquid
  • Freezing: Liquid to solid
  • Evaporation: Liquid to gas
  • Condensation: Gas to liquid

Experiment at Home

  • Freeze water to make ice cubes, then watch them melt!
  • Boil water and see steam rise from the pot.

Examples

  • Ice (solid) melts into water (liquid) and can turn into steam (gas) when heated.

  • Juice in a glass will eventually evaporate if left out, turning from liquid to gas.

In a Nutshell

Matter is everything around us, and it can be a solid, liquid, or gas.

Key Terms

Matter
Anything that takes up space and has mass.
Solid
A state of matter with a definite shape and volume.
Liquid
A state of matter with a definite volume but no definite shape.
Gas
A state of matter with no definite shape or volume.
Next
Sources and Forms of Energy
States of Matter - 3rd Grade Science Content | Practice Hub