Year 4 - Science
Changing state: solid to liquid
Introduction to states of matter and changing states
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores the properties of solids, liquids, and gases, and how materials change state when heated or cooled. It covers evaporation, condensation, and the water cycle, with a focus on practical enquiries, careful observations, accurate measurements, and presenting findings.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to observe that some materials change state from solid to liquid when they are heated.
Key Notes
- We can change the state of a solid to a liquid by changing its temperature.
- Water is a solid (ice) at 0°C but becomes a liquid when it is heated.
- The process in which a solid changes to a liquid is called melting.
- Different materials can be observed changing from solid to liquid when heated.
Vocabulary To Learn
- solid: A solid has a fixed shape and volume but some solids can change shape when a force is applied.
- state: Materials can exist in three common states of matter: solid, liquid and gas.
- liquid: A liquid can flow, has a fixed volume and takes the shape of the bottom of the container.
- heat: To heat something is to increase its temperature.
- melt: To melt is to change from a solid state to a liquid state.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils think that materials can only be heated by being placed on a warm radiator or on a stove or over a candle and don't think of being "in the room' as being heated.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
We can change the state of a solid to a liquid by changing its temperature. Water is a solid (ice) at 0°C but becomes a liquid when it is heated.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'solid'
A solid has a fixed shape and volume but some solids can change shape when a force is applied. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils think that materials can only be heated by being placed on a warm radiator or on a stove or over a candle and don't think of being "in the room' as being heated. Correction: Teaching slides and observations show that items which have been stored below room temperature are "being heated" when moved to room temperature. Defrosting is explained in teaching slides.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Changing state: gas to liquid Study Guide
- Changing state: liquid to gas Study Guide
- Changing state: liquid to solid Study Guide
- Comparing and grouping solids, liquids and gases Study Guide
- Evaporation and condensation in the water cycle Study Guide
- Everyday examples of changing state: solids and liquids (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Everyday examples of evaporation and condensation (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Melting ice caps and glaciers (non statutory - Climate Change & Sustainability) Study Guide
- Melting temperatures: do and review Study Guide
- Melting temperatures: plan Study Guide
- Melting temperatures: research Study Guide
- Properties of solids, liquids and gases Study Guide
- Temperature and evaporation: do and review Study Guide
- Temperature and evaporation: plan Study Guide
- Thermometers and data loggers Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 4 Science guide library.