Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A kitchen with a block of ice on a plate, a glass of juice and a balloon, each in its own container.

Science / All lessons / Stuff and What It Is Like

Solid, Liquid or Gas

Three states. One test for each.

Lesson 10 of 41

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Solid, Liquid or Gas

Luis pours juice into a tall glass. It fills the glass. He pours it into a bowl. Now it is wide and flat. The juice changed its shape.

He tries it with an ice cube. It stays an ice cube in the glass and in the bowl. A balloon has air inside. It fills the whole balloon.

Matter comes in three states. The steps show how to tell them apart.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Shape shifters

    20 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • A clear cup
    • A bowl
    • Water
    • A small rock
    • A balloon
    • A plastic bag
    • Paper and pencil

    Do this

    1. Pour water into the cup and draw its shape.
    2. Pour it into the bowl and draw again.
    3. Put the rock in the cup and draw its shape.
    4. Blow into the balloon.
    5. Squeeze the balloon and notice the air fills it.
    6. Fill the bag with air and close it.
    7. Sort what you used.
    Write or draw: A table with the item, its state and how you know.

    Watch for: Notice the water changes shape but the rock does not. The air fills every space.

    Safety: Use water only. Mop up spills. Do not put a bag over your face.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Ask whether it keeps its shape.

    That finds solids.

    Rule 2Ask whether it flows into a container.

    That finds liquids.

    Rule 3Remember a gas can be hard to see.

    Look for what it fills.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    solid
    Matter that holds its own shape.
    liquid
    Matter that flows and takes the shape of its container.
    gas
    Matter that spreads out to fill its container.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know a liquid from a solid?
    • What gases do you find around the farm or kitchen?
    Did you know

    The air you breathe is mostly invisible gases. You feel it when the wind blows.

    Someone who does this

    A baker watches how liquids and solids mix to make bread.

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