# The Particle Model of Matter

This worksheet checks what you know about how particles behave in solids, liquids, and gases, and how their movement and arrangement explain physical properties like density and compressibility ([Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473), [Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475), [Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36479)). Read each question carefully and use full sentences where asked.

## Exercises

**1. Fill in the blanks**

Use these words to complete the sentences: *close together, spaces, moving, slide, vibrate*

All matter is made up of small particles, and particles of matter are always ______ ([PDF p.1](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/library/pdf/9862?page=1)).

In a solid, the particles are ______ and ______ in place ([Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)).

In a liquid, the particles are separated by ______ and can ______ past each other ([Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)).

**2. Matching**

Draw a line from each state of matter to the correct description of its particles ([Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)).

| State of Matter | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Solid | 1. Particles have large spaces between them and move in all directions |
| B. Liquid | 2. Particles are close together and vibrate in place |
| C. Gas | 3. Particles are separated by spaces and can slide past each other |

**3. Multiple choice**

Attractive forces between particles are strongest in which state of matter? ([Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475), [PDF p.6](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/library/pdf/10120?page=6))

A) Gas
B) Liquid
C) Solid
D) All three are equal

Explain your answer in one sentence: ________________________________________

________________________________________

**4. Short answer**

A helium tank holds gas that has been squeezed into a small metal cylinder. Water is much harder to squeeze into a smaller space.

Using the word *compressibility*, explain why gas can be compressed more easily than water ([Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36479), [PDF p.6](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/library/pdf/10120?page=6)).

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

**5. Comparing density**

Two balls have the same volume. Ball A has a mass of 120 g. Ball B has a mass of 80 g.

Which ball is denser? ________________________

Explain how you know, using the words *mass* and *volume* ([Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36479)).

________________________________________

________________________________________

A ball made of foam floats when placed in water. What does this tell you about the foam's density compared to water's density? ([Knowledge](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36479))

________________________________________

**6. Draw and label**

In the three boxes below, draw circles to represent particles in a solid, a liquid, and a gas. Space your circles correctly for each state, then label each box ([Skills](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36477)).

Solid:
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]

Liquid:
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]

Gas:
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]

Under your drawings, write one sentence describing what happens to the attractive forces between particles when a substance is heated ([PDF p.6](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/library/pdf/10120?page=6)).

________________________________________

## Answer key

1. moving; close together, vibrate; spaces, slide
2. A, 2, B, 3, C, 1
3. C) Solid. Particles in a solid are closest together, so the attractive forces pulling them together are strongest.
4. Gas particles have large spaces between them, so those spaces can be squeezed smaller under pressure. Water's particles are already close together with little space, so there is not much room to compress.
5. Ball A is denser. Since both balls have the same volume, the one with more mass (120 g) has more matter packed into the same space, giving it a higher density. The foam floating shows that foam is less dense than water.
6. Solid: circles close together in a neat, tight pattern. Liquid: circles touching but in a looser, flowing pattern. Gas: circles spread far apart with lots of space between them. Heating a substance makes its particles move faster and farther apart, which weakens the attractive forces between them.

---
*AILI homework sheet · language en · model claude-sonnet-5 · generated 2026-09-17 · id 539c7cd4-44ae-4ed3-88f0-366f8b2f6362*

### Sources

- node:n1: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472)
- node:n2: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473)
- node:n3: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36475)
- node:n4: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36477)
- node:n5: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36476)
- node:n6: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36479)
- node:n7: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36481)
- node:n8: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36480)
- node:n9: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473)
- node:n10: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36477)
- node:n11: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36475)
- node:n12: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36476)
- node:n13: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. › How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained by using the particle model of matter? › 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/36480)
- pdf:p1: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Stepping Into Science Alberta | Matter - Grade 5 › p.1 (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/library/pdf/9862?page=1)
- node:n14: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Grade 5 › Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472)
- pdf:p2: Sciences › Science (K–6) › Stepping Into Science Alberta | Matter - Grade 5 › p.6 (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/library/pdf/10120?page=6)