TEACHING SCIENCE IN THE ELEMENTARY GRADE

(CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY)

MODULE 4: PROPERTIES OF MATTER

1st Semester
A.Y. 2021-2022
Course Code: TBCHEM
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the topic, the learners shall be able to:
1. Describe characteristics of different objects based on the shape and the space they
occupy; and
2. Classified objects and materials s solid, liquid and gas according to some observable
characteristics.
3. Classified materials based on their ability to absorb water, float, sink and undergo
decay; and
4. Identified the effects of decaying materials on one’s health and safety.

INTRODUCTION

All materials have properties that can be observed and be used to identify them. When
learners observe different objects around them, they become aware of their characteristics.
Using these features, they can be able to group these objects as solid, liquid or gas. Furthermore,
because of these distinct characteristics, learners can also be able to classify materials according
to their ability to absorb water, to either float or sink, and even to determine they can decay or
not.
 Knowledge of the different properties of materials may be able further to help learners
make useful materials and products out of the raw materials. In the process, they can investigate
and observe changes materials undergo such as when mixing a solid in a liquid or a liquid in
another liquid. These ideas are introduced in this module.

LESSON 1 SOLID, LIQUID AND GAS (GRADE 3)

A. STATES OF MATTER: SOLID, LIQUID, GAS

All objects on earth can be classified in one of three physical forms or states such as solid, liquid
and gas.
SOLIDS
Solid is a state of matter that has definite shape and definite volume. It keeps its own size. Some
common examples are marbles, ping-pong ball, marble, sponge, rock, empty bottle, bag, pen,
book, jewelries, and many others.

Solids have other special properties. Comparing marble and sponge even if both are solids yet is
different from each other. Some solids are hard like the marble and others are soft like sponge.
Hardness is the ability of solids to resist breaking and scraping.

Other solids have distinctive properties like metals. Jewelries such as rings, bracelets and
necklaces are made up of metals, gold, silver, or platinum. These metals can be designed and
formed into beautiful accessories because they are malleable. The ability of metals to be
hammered into different shapes is called malleability.

Another unique property of metallic solid is ductility, the ability to be drawn into wire like copper,
aluminum and steel. Copper is the metal used for electrical wiring. It can also be formed into
strips or shavings.

Other solids are brittle like chalk, concrete and glass. Brittleness is the property that makes solids
easy to break when a force is applied to it.
 LIQUIDS

Liquid is a state of matter that keeps its size but takes the shape of its container.

A liquid can also flow as it is transferred or poured from one container to another. Juice, water,
our body's sweat, milk, rubbing alcohol, and cola drinks are common examples of a liquid.

GAS

Gas is a state of matter that can freely change its shape and size. It spreads out to fill its container.
Gases flow like liquids. They are very light and often they cannot be seen. A very common gaseous
material is air, which is a mixture of gases. Other examples are the helium inside an inflated
birthday balloon, water vapor, perfume in the air, fumes from cars and factories, oxygen gas that
we breathe in, and carbon dioxide that we expel out.

B. DESCRIPTIONS OF THE STATES OF MATTER ACCORDING TO AND SPACE THEY OCCUPY

• The "state" of matter refers to the group of matter with the same properties. Materials
are grouped together according to their properties.
• If a material is grouped as solid, it has a definite shape and volume.
volume or size of an object or material is the amount of space it occupies

• If a material is in a liquid state, it has a definite volume but follows the shape Of its
container.

• A material in a gaseous state has no definite shape and volume• It has the ability to spread
filling out any available space of its container. The air blown into the balloons of different shapes
was a mixture of gases. The shape and volume of air once inside the balloons also follow the
shape and volume of the container.
 LESSON 2 GROUPING OF MATERIALS BASED ON PROPERTIES (GRADE 4)

Imagine a world where there is NO air to breath, water to drink and other materials

to make us alive. Will there be humans like us living? Will there be fishes that swim in our seas?
Will there be cellular phones to let us communicate? Do you wonder why water when placed in
freezer turn to ice or becomes steam when boiled? All living and nonliving things around us and
in us are made up of matter. Matter is classified in many ways according to their properties.

Properties of Matter

• Buoyancy is the ability of materials to float in water. Some materials that can float or
sink exhibit the property of buoyancy and density. These enable boats and ships to float.
Meanwhile, an anchor of a boat will sink when thrown into the water. An object will float or
sink depending on its density. Density is a measure of the amount of matter in a given volume
of liquid. To get the density of an object, the mass of that object is divided by its volume (D=
m/v). For example the mass of a metal washer is 10 grams and its volume is 20 cubic
centimeters. Its density therefore is 10 g/20 cm3 or
10 g/20cm3
D= .5g/cm3
If the density of an object is less than the density of the liquid, the object will float. An object
will sink if its density is greater than that of the liquid.

• Porosity is a property of material that allows it to absorb water and other liquids. A
material that is porous like dishwashing sponge is an example of an absorbent material. Other
porous materials include cotton balls, gauze, blankets and pillows. Non-absorbent or non-
porous materials are those that do not absorb water like plastic bags, canisters, cans and
ceramic mugs. They are useful for storing food items therefore they should be kept dry.
Umbrellas and rain coats are also non-absorbent.

What other materials in your home can be listed as porous or absorbent and non-porous or
non-absorbent?

• Decomposition is a property of materials to break down into simpler or smaller forms of

matter. Take the case of ripe fruits like banana which easily decays after a few days. The organic
matter in these parts of the plant are returned to the ground and becomes part of the soil. All
materials that decay are also referred to as biodegradable. All living things decay, but not in the
same manner. Decaying process is important in returning organic substances to the soil so that
other living things will also have source of nutrients for their needs. Humus in soil is rich in
organic substances produced by action of decomposers. There are several stages of
decomposition. Using leaves and fruits as examples discusses the stages of decomposition.

Not all materials decay as fast as plant or animal parts. Those that do not decay are called non-
biodegradable. When thrown into canals and other bodies of water they clog drainage and may
cause floods and pollution. There are town or city ordinances that prohibit the use of plastic
bags to hold goods sold in stores and market since it takes a long time for these to decompose.
It has been observed that garbage landfills are full and become homes for rats and other
disease carrying organisms. At home or in school, what should we do with garbage that do not
decay?

FACTORS AFFECTING DECOMPOSITION

1. Presence of organism or decomposers that cause decay

Decomposer can be detritivores, fungi and bacteria. Detritivores like earthworm
breakdown plant and animal materials and feed on these. Fungi, like mushroom and ear
fungi breakdown plant materials and cause decay at the same time feeding on the
decayed materials. Bacteria are microorganism that we cannot see but their action can
be observed on dead animal bodies when these are undergoing decay. Usually, the
process is accompanied by foul or bad smell. Spoiled food has foul odor because of
decay that i going on.
2. Temperature
 The warmer the temperature, the faster is the decay process. So when the days are
very warm leaving spaghetti on the table and other carbohydrate rich food will easily
spoil. Placing food in the refrigerator slows down the growth of decomposers.

3. Moisture
Have you noticed a pile of leaves during summer in the school yard but during rainy
season, the leaves disappear fast and blend with the soil? With water available, the
plant parts easily crumble and decompose. Decomposers are also present in moist
places, so the decay process is fast. Dry materials like leaves are not good habitats for
decomposers. Drying fish prevents bacteria from feeding on the flesh of the fish.

4.Exposure to elements
Our mother would remind us to cover the food left after a meal. Air may contain bacteria and
will hit the food. Covering the food prevents bacteria from growing on the food and start the
decay process.

5. Salt content of the material

- A salty food usually decays slowly. This is because decomposers cannot grow well in salty
environment. Have you noticed that fish, squid and meat do not decay immediately when
salted? Salting is a way of delaying or stopping decomposition, thus preserving food for some
tune.

Reference:
Bilbao, P., et. L. (2019) Teaching Science Elementary Grades Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing
Co., Inc.

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