Resources: Sticky notes and mini whiteboards. Materials for the Mission Assignment, such as modelling clay, cocktail sticks, polystyrene balls, beads.
Support Handout: Page 1 of the handout; a sheet to recap particle model in solids, liquids and gases.
Core Handout: Pages 2 and 3 of the handout; space for the students to draw their models and answer the questions.
Challenge Handout: A challenge question is included on page 3.
Revise relevant learning from KS2. The students should know that everything around us is made up of matter, including solids, liquids and gases. They should also be familiar with the different properties of matter, such as mass, volume and density.
Ask the students - 'what are particles'? Ask them to write an idea down on a mini whiteboard or sticky note and add it to the board. Discuss answers and come up with a definition for what particles are.
Using the presentation slides, recap the particle model. There is a support task in the handout that can be used to help students remember the key facts. Students then use the supplied materials to make models showing the particles in a solid, liquid and gas. They should then answer the questions on the handout. A challenge task extends this by getting the students to consider the strengths and weakness of their model and the drawn particle model.
Career Film: Take a tour around the offices of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in Cumbria to find out about Daniel Wilmot's job. Daniel works as a Waste Strategy Nuclear Graduate for NDA.
Expert Film: This is Daniel Wilmot. Daniel works as a Waste Strategy Nuclear Graduate for NDA. Listen to Daniel talk about how ideas about the atom have changed.
The students should create models to represent the particles in a solid, liquid and gas. Once they have done this, they should draw diagrams of their models in the space provided together with a description of materials used. Students should then answer the questions.
Support: A sheet to help recap the particle model for a solid, liquid and gas prior to completing core task.
Challenge: Ask the students to compare the strengths and weaknesses of their models and drawn particle models.
Have a class discussion on the models made in the lesson. Ensure that the students have improved their understanding and considered what is not shown in their particle model, e.g movement of particles.
Particle Model: Introduce the particle model of matter, which states that all matter is made up of tiny particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) that are constantly in motion. Emphasize that the behavior and arrangement of these particles determine the state of matter.
Solid State: Explain that in a solid, particles are tightly packed together in a regular pattern. They vibrate in fixed positions but do not move freely. This arrangement gives solids a definite shape and volume. Provide examples of solids such as ice, wood, and metal.
Liquid State: Describe liquids as having particles that are close together but not as tightly packed as in solids. Explain that liquid particles can move and slide past one another, allowing liquids to take the shape of their container. Emphasize that liquids have a definite volume but not a definite shape. Examples of liquids include water, oil, and juice.
Gas State: Discuss gases as having particles that are widely spaced and move freely at high speeds. Explain that gas particles fill the entire container they are in and can easily expand to fill any available space. Gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. Examples of gases include air, helium, and carbon dioxide.
Changes of State: Explain that changes of state occur when heat energy is added to or removed from a substance. Discuss the processes of melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, and sublimation. Use diagrams and real-life examples to illustrate these processes and how they relate to the particle model.
Temperature and Particle Motion: Connect temperature to the particle model by explaining that as temperature increases, the particles move faster and have more kinetic energy. As temperature decreases, particle motion slows down. Relate this concept to the different states of matter.
Phase Diagram: Introduce the concept of a phase diagram, which shows the relationship between temperature and pressure for a substance. Explain how the phase diagram represents the conditions at which a substance exists as a solid, liquid, or gas.
Plasma State: Briefly mention the plasma state, which exists at very high temperatures and consists of ionized particles. Discuss plasma in the context of stars, lightning, and fluorescent lights.
Engage Students: Use hands-on activities, demonstrations, and simulations to help students visualize the behavior of particles in different states of matter. Encourage discussions, group work, and critical thinking to deepen their understanding.
Real-World Applications: Highlight the importance of understanding the states of matter and the particle model in various fields, such as chemistry, physics, and engineering. Discuss applications like phase changes in cooking, the behavior of gases in weather systems, and the study of materials for technological advancements.