Lesson Plan

Matter: It's Everywhere!

Students will be able to define matter, identify its different states (solid, liquid, gas, plasma), and distinguish between physical and chemical properties of matter.

Understanding matter is the bedrock of all chemistry. Everything around us is made of matter, and by learning its fundamental characteristics, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the world and how it works at a molecular level.

Audience

10th Grade Chemistry Students

Time

58 minutes

Approach

Through direct instruction, interactive slides, and a hands-on activity.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Markers/Whiteboard, Matter: It's Everywhere! Slide Deck, Matter: What's the 'Matter'? Worksheet & Guided Notes, and Matter: Property Hunt Activity Cards

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Review the Matter: It's Everywhere! Slide Deck and ensure all visuals and content are clear.
- Print copies of the Matter: What's the 'Matter'? Worksheet & Guided Notes for each student.
- Prepare and cut out the cards for the Matter: Property Hunt Activity Cards. Ensure you have enough sets for small groups.
- Gather any additional materials needed for demonstrations if desired (e.g., ice, water, steam to show states of matter).

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Do You Think?

5 minutes

Begin by asking students: 'When you hear the word 'matter', what comes to mind?'
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, writing down key terms on the board.
- Introduce the lesson title: 'Matter: It's Everywhere!' (Refer to Matter: It's Everywhere! Slide Deck - Slide 1).

Step 2

Introduction to Matter

10 minutes

Present the definition of matter: anything that has mass and takes up space (volume). (Refer to Matter: It's Everywhere! Slide Deck - Slides 2-3).
- Discuss examples and non-examples of matter.
- Introduce the concept of states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. (Refer to Matter: It's Everywhere! Slide Deck - Slides 4-7).
- Explain the characteristics of each state, focusing on particle arrangement and energy.
- Students should fill in the guided notes section of their Matter: What's the 'Matter'? Worksheet & Guided Notes during this time.

Step 3

Properties of Matter

15 minutes

Define physical properties (can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity) and chemical properties (describe how a substance reacts to form new substances). (Refer to Matter: It's Everywhere! Slide Deck - Slides 8-9).
- Provide clear examples for each, such as color, density, melting point (physical), and flammability, reactivity (chemical).
- Students continue filling in their guided notes on the Matter: What's the 'Matter'? Worksheet & Guided Notes.

Step 4

Matter Property Hunt Activity

15 minutes

Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
- Distribute the Matter: Property Hunt Activity Cards to each group.
- Instructions: Each card describes a property. Groups must identify if it's a physical or chemical property and provide a brief explanation.
- Circulate and assist groups, fostering discussion and clarifying misconceptions.

Step 5

Class Discussion and Review

8 minutes

Bring the class back together.
- Review answers from the Matter: Property Hunt Activity Cards, addressing any common challenges.
- Briefly recap the main concepts of matter, states of matter, and properties of matter (Refer to Matter: It's Everywhere! Slide Deck - Slide 10).
- Address any remaining student questions.

Step 6

Cool-Down: One Question

5 minutes

Ask students to answer the following question on their Matter: What's the 'Matter'? Worksheet & Guided Notes as an exit ticket: 'Explain in your own words the difference between a physical property and a chemical property, providing one example for each.'
- Collect worksheets.

Slide Deck

Matter: It's Everywhere!

What comes to mind when you hear the word 'matter'?

Welcome students and ask them what comes to mind when they hear the word 'matter'. Encourage a quick brainstorm before revealing the lesson title.

What is Matter?

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space (volume).

Mass: A measure of the amount of 'stuff' in an object.
Volume: The amount of space an object occupies.

Introduce the formal definition of matter. Emphasize the two key components: mass and volume.

Matter: Examples & Non-Examples

Examples of Matter:

A rock
Water
Air
You!

Non-Examples of Matter:

Light
Heat
Sound
Ideas

Why are these non-examples? Discuss how they don't have mass or take up space.

Provide examples and non-examples to solidify understanding. Ask students for more examples.

States of Matter: Solids

Solids:

Have a definite shape and a definite volume.
Particles are tightly packed and vibrate in fixed positions.
Strong attractive forces between particles.

Introduce the concept of states of matter. Start with solids.

States of Matter: Liquids

Liquids:

Have an indefinite shape (takes the shape of its container) but a definite volume.
Particles are close together but can slide past one another.
Moderate attractive forces between particles.

Move to liquids. Highlight the difference in particle movement.

States of Matter: Gases

Gases:

Have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume (fills its container).
Particles are far apart and move randomly and rapidly.
Very weak attractive forces between particles.

Discuss gases. Emphasize the lack of definite shape or volume.

States of Matter: Plasma

Plasma:

An ionized gas (atoms have lost or gained electrons).
Extremely high energy.
Found in stars, lightning, and fluorescent lights.

Briefly introduce plasma as the fourth state, often found in stars and lightning.

Properties of Matter: Physical

Physical Properties:

Can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity.
Examples:
- Color
- Density
- Melting point
- Boiling point
- Hardness
- Conductivity

Define physical properties. Ask students to think of examples.

Properties of Matter: Chemical

Chemical Properties:

Describe how a substance reacts to form new substances.
Observed during a chemical change (a chemical reaction).
Examples:
- Flammability (ability to burn)
- Reactivity with acids
- Oxidation (rusting)
- Toxicity

Define chemical properties. Stress that these describe how a substance reacts.

Recap: What is Matter?

We've learned:

Matter has mass and volume.
The four states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
Physical properties can be observed without changing identity.
Chemical properties describe how a substance reacts.

Summarize the key takeaways and open for any final questions.

Worksheet

Matter: What's the 'Matter'? Worksheet & Guided Notes

Name: ____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Part 1: Guided Notes - Defining Matter

What is Matter? (Slide 2)
Matter is anything that has ____________________________ and takes up ____________________________.
- Mass: A measure of the amount of ____________________________ in an object.
- Volume: The amount of ____________________________ an object occupies.
Examples and Non-Examples of Matter (Slide 3)
- List three examples of matter:
- List three non-examples of matter:

Part 2: Guided Notes - States of Matter

Complete the table below about the four states of matter.

State of Matter	Shape	Volume	Particle Arrangement	Particle Energy	Examples
Solid	Definite	Definite	____________________________	Low	Ice, Rock
Liquid	Indefinite	Definite	Close, but can ____________________________	Medium	Water, Oil
Gas	Indefinite	Indefinite	____________________________	High	Air, Steam
Plasma	Indefinite	Indefinite	Ionized gas, ____________________________	Very High	Stars, Lightning

Part 3: Guided Notes - Properties of Matter

Physical Properties (Slide 8)
- Definition: Can be observed or measured ____________________________ changing the substance's identity.
- List three examples of physical properties:
Chemical Properties (Slide 9)
- Definition: Describe how a substance ____________________________ to form new substances.
- List three examples of chemical properties:

Part 4: Practice Questions

Determine if each property is a Physical Property (P) or a Chemical Property (C).

Density:
Flammability:
Melting Point:
Reactivity with acid:
Color:

Part 5: Cool-Down / Exit Ticket

Explain in your own words the difference between a physical property and a chemical property, providing one example for each.

Activity

Matter: Property Hunt Activity Cards

Instructions: For each card, determine if the description refers to a Physical Property or a Chemical Property. Write your answer and a brief explanation in the space provided.