Students also learn that the three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas, and that matter can change from one state to another. By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of objects and materials. Students compare the properties of an ice cube with those of liquid water and observe that the water changes its shape readily while the ice cube does not. Students also observe that when a cold container is placed in a room-temperature environment, moisture forms on the outside of the container. Students will complete Lab Manual pages 25-26 as they do the activity.
Students estimate the masses of several different objects.
Students then measure the objects' actual masses and compare them with their estimated masses. Students infer that the mass of an object doesn't change when its shape changes. Students will complete Lab Manual pages 23-24 as they do the activity.