# The Particle Model of Matter *Grade 5 Science: Exploring solids, liquids, and gases* ## Slide 1: The Particle Model of Matter ![The Particle Model of Matter](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/api/generate/3cbc2743-a301-43f3-898f-b2d0f3ba4554/asset/2009) *Grade 5 Science: How tiny particles explain solids, liquids, and gases* > Notes: Introduce the topic. Tell students they will learn a model, a simplified idea, that scientists use to explain why matter behaves the way it does. Activate prior knowledge by asking what solids, liquids, and gases they already know. ## Slide 2: Learning Intentions and Success Criteria - We are learning to explain the states of matter using the particle model ([Guiding question](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472)). - I can describe how particles are arranged and how they move in solids, liquids, and gases ([Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473)). - I can explain how attractive forces between particles differ across the three states ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). - I can represent solids, liquids, and gases using drawings of particles ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). *Sources: [Guiding question](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472), [Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473), [Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)* > Notes: Read success criteria aloud. Have students restate one criterion in their own words to a partner. Keep this posted for reference during the lesson. Formative checkpoint: thumbs up/down on understanding the phrase 'particle model'. ## Slide 3: Particles in Solids, Liquids, and Gases - **Solids**: Particles are close together and vibrate in place. Attractive forces are strongest here ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). - **Liquids**: Particles have spaces between them and can slide past each other ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). - **Gases**: Particles have large spaces between them and move constantly in all directions. Attractive forces are weakest here ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). *Sources: [Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)* > Notes: Have students act out each state with their bodies: standing still and shaking for solid, walking slowly and slipping past classmates for liquid, running freely around the space for gas. Checkpoint: ask students to name which state has the strongest attractive forces and why. ## Slide 4: Describing Matter: Mass, Volume, and Density **Mass and Volume** Mass is the amount of matter in a solid, liquid, or gas, measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg). Volume is the amount of space matter takes up, measured for liquids in millilitres (mL) or litres (L) ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). **Density** In solids, the particles are close together and vibrate in place. Attractive forces between particles are strongest in solids and weakest in gases. A less dense object floats on a denser liquid ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). *Sources: [Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)* > Notes: Bring a small demonstration: place an object in water to show floating versus sinking, and connect this to density. Checkpoint: ask students to compare two same-sized balls of different materials, such as a rubber ball and a wooden ball, and predict which is denser. ## Slide 5: Compressibility: Squeezing Air and Water 1. **What is compressibility?**: The ability of a liquid or gas to reduce in volume when under pressure ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17303)). 2. **Try squeezing air**: Push down on a sealed syringe or balloon full of air. It compresses easily because gas particles have large spaces between them ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). 3. **Try squeezing water**: Push down on a sealed syringe full of water. It barely compresses because liquid particles are already close together ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). 4. **Connect to the particle model**: Compare the compressibility of air and water using particle spacing to explain the difference ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17303)). *Sources: [Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)* > Notes: This works well as a hands-on station activity with two capped syringes, one filled with air and one filled with water. Have students record their observations and explain the result using particle spacing. Safety note: keep syringes without needles, supervise closely. ## Slide 6: Wrapping Up the Particle Model **Summary:** All matter is made of tiny moving particles with spaces between them. The arrangement and movement of these particles, along with the strength of attractive forces between them, explain why solids, liquids, and gases behave differently and why properties like mass, volume, density, and compressibility vary between them ([Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473), [Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). **Question:** If you cooled a gas down until its particles moved much slower and squeezed closer together, what state of matter might it become, and why? *Sources: [Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473), [Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)* > Notes: Use the closing question as an exit ticket. Students investigate the particle model of matter in relation to the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Differentiation: for support, allow students to draw their answer with labelled particle diagrams instead of writing sentences. For extension, ask students to predict what happens to the volume and density during this change. --- *AILI presentation · language en · model claude-sonnet-5 · generated 2026-09-17 · id 3cbc2743-a301-43f3-898f-b2d0f3ba4554* ### Sources - node:n1: Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36471) - node:n2: How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained using the particle model of matter? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472) - node:n3: Students investigate the particle model of matter in relation to the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473) - node:n4: Details (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475) - node:n5: Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36575) - node:n6: How can the particles of matter be influenced by heating or cooling? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36576) - node:n7: Students investigate how particles of matter behave when heated or cooled and analyze effects on solids, liquids, and ga (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36577) - node:n8: Details (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36579) - node:n9: Unit A: Mix and Flow of Matter (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17299) - node:n10: Outcomes for Science, Technology and Society (STS) and Knowledge (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17300) - node:n11: *Students will:* Investigate and compare the properties of gases and liquids; and relate variations in their viscosity, (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17303)