To introduce students with visual impairments to the three states of matter by examining tactile models illustrating the characteristics of particles in each state
It is hard to imagine that matter is made of particles since no one can see them. In print textbooks, the diagrams used to demonstrate the phases of matter frequently look like round balls or marbles. The particles in a solid are shown in a grid with the particles very close together. In the picture representing a liquid, the balls have more space between each one, and for gases the balls are drawn with even more space between them. Sometimes the drawing includes arrows representing the movement of the particles. In this activity, marbles model the particles and their movement.
To create models for the particles of a solid, liquid and gas, use three plastic plates and about 50 marbles for each student. Label the first plate “SOLID” and fill the plate with marbles until there is no room left between them to move. Label the second plate “LIQUID” and fill the plate with fewer marbles than the solid, leaving room for the marbles to roll around a bit. Label the third plate “GAS” and add around 5 marbles, giving them room to move freely.
2nd Grade – Structure and Properties of Matter
PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
Different kinds of matter exist and many of them can be either solid or liquid, depending on temperature. Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties. (2-PS1-1)
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