States of Matter: Liquids

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Everything on the earth is made up of matter.

Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass.

The apple juice you saw above is a liquid.

• Do you see the apple in the picture, too?
• Is it a solid or liquid?

Any object that is a liquid has atoms. Atoms and molecules (collections of atoms) make up everything on the earth.

The picture below shows the atoms and molecules in a liquid object.

The atoms and molecules in liquids stay close together, but not so close they can't move. Liquid atoms and molecules move around and bounce off of each other.

• Why do you think the atoms and molecules in a liquid object move around?

Think about what happens to liquids if you put them in a container or spill them.

The atoms and molecules stay close together and move around in liquid objects because liquids change their shape.

Think of a time you poured a drink into a glass. The liquid (drink) you poured takes the shape of a glass. If you knock over the glass, the liquid will flow in different directions.

Take a look at the cup below. The coffee spilled out of the cup, and the liquid flowed away.

Liquids flow easily, especially on surfaces that have a slope.

• Can you think of some examples of liquids?

Move to the Got It? section to explore the liquid state of matter some more by watching a video and answering questions.