Year 4 - Science
Everyday examples of evaporation and condensation (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 examples of evaporation and condensation from real life.
Key Notes
- Everyday examples of evaporation can include puddles disappearing and wet clothing drying.
- Everyday examples of condensation can include foggy mirrors, windows and glasses.
- Scientists learn about evaporation and condensation using observation and investigation.
Vocabulary To Learn
- liquid: A liquid can flow, has a fixed volume and takes the shape of the bottom of its container.
- state: The three common states of matter are solid state, liquid state and gas state.
- gas: A gas can flow, has no fixed volume and takes the shape of the whole of its container.
- evaporation: Evaporation is the change of state from a liquid to a gas.
- condensation: Condensation is the change of state from a gas to a liquid.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils might think of "condensation" as the droplets of water that form through the process of condensation, rather than the change of state from gas to liquid.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Everyday examples of evaporation can include puddles disappearing and wet clothing drying. Everyday examples of condensation can include foggy mirrors, windows and glasses.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'liquid'
A liquid can flow, has a fixed volume and takes the shape of the bottom of its container. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils might think of "condensation" as the droplets of water that form through the process of condensation, rather than the change of state from gas to liquid. Correction: Teaching slides use the term "droplets of water" instead of referring to them as "condensation".
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 changing state: solids and liquids (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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