Name:
Date:
Homeroom:
Properties of Matter Worksheet
Directions:
● Read each passage carefully.
● Complete the Fill in the Blanks section for each state of matter (solids, liquids, and gases).
Use information from the passages to fill in the missing words.
● Answer the Open-Ended Questions in complete sentences. Use your understanding of the
states of matter to explain your answers.
● For the model question, follow the instructions to illustrate what happens to the particles
inside the balloon when air is pumped into it.
Introduction to States of Matter
Matter exists in three main states: solid, liquid, and gas. Each state has unique properties based on
how the particles are arranged and how they move. Solids have tightly packed particles that do not
move much, giving them a fixed shape. Liquids have particles that are loosely connected and can
move around each other, allowing them to flow and take the shape of their container. Gases have
particles that are spread far apart and move freely, filling any space available to them.
Understanding the properties of matter helps us explain why things behave the way they do in the
world around us. In this worksheet, you will explore the properties of each state of matter through
passages and questions.
Passage 1: Solids
Solids are materials that have a fixed shape and volume. The particles in solids are packed closely
together and vibrate in place, but they do not move around. This is why solids maintain their
shape, whether it is a rock, a chair, or a piece of wood. Solids are usually rigid and difficult to
compress because their particles are tightly packed. If a solid is heated, its particles gain energy
and can begin to vibrate more. If the temperature continues to rise, the solid may melt and become
a liquid.
Examples of solids include ice, wood, metal, and glass. These materials maintain their shape
unless force is applied to change it. If you press on a piece of clay, it will deform, but it will not
return to its original shape unless it is solid again.
Passage 2: Liquids
Liquids have a fixed volume but no fixed shape. The particles in liquids are close together but can
move around each other. This allows liquids to flow and take the shape of the container they are
in. Liquids maintain a constant volume, meaning they do not change in size unless they are
evaporated or added to. Liquids are less difficult to compress than solids, as the particles are not as
tightly packed.
Water, milk, and juice are examples of liquids. These liquids flow to take the shape of the
container they are in, but the volume stays the same. When you place a liquid in a container, it will
spread out and fill the container’s shape, but its amount does not change.
Passage 3: Gases
Gases have neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume. The particles in a gas are spread far apart and
move freely in all directions. Because of this, gases can expand to fill the entire space of any
container they are in. The more energy the particles have (like when they are heated), the faster
they move and the farther apart they get. Gases are very easy to compress, as there is a lot of
empty space between the particles.
Air, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are examples of gases. These gases move freely and can fill any
space they are in. Gases are different from liquids and solids because they do not stay in a fixed
volume or shape.
Fill in the Blanks
Directions:
1. Read each passage carefully.
2. Use words from the Word Bank to fill in the blanks. Some words may be used more than
once.
3. Complete all sections and check your answers.
Word Bank:
stay flow gas expand solid
move shape close particles liquid
compressed fixed examples volume farther
difficult loosely tightly rigid compress
(Solids):
1. Solids have a definite __________ and __________.
2. The particles in solids are __________ together and only vibrate in place.
3. Solids are usually __________ to compress because the particles are tightly packed.
4. When a solid is heated, its particles move __________ and it may change into a liquid.
5. Examples of solids include __________, __________, and __________.
6. When you hold a solid object, its shape stays __________ unless you apply enough force to
change it.
(Liquids):
1. Liquids have a definite __________ but no fixed __________.
2. The particles in a liquid can __________ around each other, allowing liquids to
__________.
3. Liquids take the shape of their __________ but maintain their __________.
4. Liquids are __________ to compress because the particles are not as tightly packed as in
solids.
5. When a liquid is heated, it can change into a __________.
6. Water, oil, and milk are examples of __________.
(Gases):
1. Gases do not have a fixed __________ or __________.
2. The particles in a gas are spread __________ and move __________ in all directions.
3. Gases can fill any __________ because their particles move freely to occupy all available
space.
4. When gases are heated, they expand because the particles move __________ and spread
__________ apart.
5. Air, helium, and carbon dioxide are examples of __________.
6. Gases are __________ to compress because the particles are spread far apart.
Open-Ended Questions
1. You were given an inflated balloon, and you want it to become larger, so you pump more
air into it. What will happen to the balloon as more air is added?
Complete the model below by drawing dots to explain what will happen to the particles
inside the balloon.
Instructions: Double-click on the model below to start drawing. The model shows two
balloons: one represents the balloon before you add more air, and the other represents the
balloon after you pump in more air. Use dots to represent the gas particles inside the
balloons.
Balloon
before air Balloon
after air
2. When you freeze water in an ice cube tray, it becomes solid. What happens to the particles
in the liquid water as it freezes, and why does this change occur?
3. If you place a cold drink outside in the heat, the drink begins to warm up. How do the
particles in the liquid change as it absorbs heat?
4. You have a small cup of water and a large bowl of water. If you pour the water from the cup
into the bowl, the water takes the shape of the bowl. Why does the water change its shape,
but its volume stays the same?
5. If you take a deep breath and hold it, you can feel your chest expand. What is happening to
the volume of the gas in your lungs as you inhale, and why does it expand?
