Year 4 - Science
Everyday examples of changing state: solids and liquids (non-statutory)
Introduction to states of matter and changing states
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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 give everyday examples of solids and liquids changing state.
Key Notes
- There are lots of examples of solids and liquids changing state in real life.
- Everyday examples of materials changing between solid state and liquid state include butter, chocolate and candle wax.
- Many people use their understanding of solids and liquids changing state in their work.
- Everyday examples of materials changing from liquid state to solid state include liquid lava changing to solid rock.
Vocabulary To Learn
- solid: A solid has a fixed shape and volume but some solids can change shape when a force is applied.
- changing state: Changing state is when a material changes state from one state to another.
- temperature: Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is.
- melting: Melting is when a material or substance changes from its solid state to its liquid state.
- liquid: A liquid can flow, has a fixed volume and takes the shape of the bottom of its container.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may not have experience of a solid material changing to its liquid state then back to its solid state again.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
There are lots of examples of solids and liquids changing state in real life. Everyday examples of materials changing between solid state and liquid state include butter, chocolate and candle wax.
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 may not have experience of a solid material changing to its liquid state then back to its solid state again. Correction: Pupils will explore melting solid wax then watching it change back from a liquid to a solid again as it cools. The lesson provides many examples of where changing state is useful to humans in industry and every day life.
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
- Changing state: solid to liquid Study Guide
- Comparing and grouping solids, liquids and gases Study Guide
- Evaporation and condensation in the water cycle 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
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