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Describing Matter
Inquiry Warm-Up, How Do You Describe Matter?
In the Inquiry Warm-Up, you investigated how to observe, describe, and classify the
properties of several different materials. Using what you learned from that activity,
answer the questions below.

1. CLASSIFY What characteristic(s) do the objects that are sorted into the
category have in common? What characteristic(s) do the objects that
are not in the category have in common?

2. DEFINE What other objects found in and around your school would be
classified in the same category your group used for the activity?

3. FORM OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS What does “shape” describe and why

is it not a property of the material of an object?

4. APPLY CONCEPTS All of the objects in the activity are solids. Water is a
liquid, so what category would you use to classify it? Explain why.
 Name Date Class

Describing Matter
What Properties Describe Matter?

1a. CLASSIFY The melting point of table salt is 801°C. Is this a

physical or chemical property?

b. DRAW CONCLUSIONS Helium does not usually react with other

substances. Does this mean that helium has no chemical
properties? Explain.

I get it! Now I know that matter is described by its

I need extra help with

Name Date Class

Describing Matter

On a separate sheet of paper, explain what matter is and how the physical and chemical
properties of matter are alike and different.
 Name Date Class

Describing Matter
Understanding Main Ideas
Classify each of the following properties by writing physical or chemical on the line at
the left.

1. ___________________ Texture
2. ___________________ Ability to react with other substances
3. ___________________ Ability to conduct heat
4. ___________________ Hardness
5. ___________________ Lack of ability to rust
6. ___________________ State

Building Vocabulary
If the statement is true, write true. If the statement is false, change the underlined word
or words to make the statement true.

7. ___________________ Table salt is an example of a(n) substance.

8. ___________________ The study of matter and how it changes is
called physics.
9. ___________________ Matter is anything that has color and takes up
space.
10. ___________________ A(n) physical property of a substance can only
be observed if the substance changes into a different substance.
11. ___________________ The boiling point of a substance is a(n)
chemical property.
 Name Date Class

Describing Matter
Read the passage and study the diagram below it. Then use a separate sheet of paper to
answer the questions that follow.

Degradable Plastics
A chemical property is a characteristic of a substance that describes its ability to change into different
substances. One way in which substances are changed is to be broken down into simpler substances.
Materials that are degradable can be broken down easily in the environment. Most plastics are not
degradable, remaining in the environment for a long time. But Today there are two main types of plastics
that are degradable: photodegradable (photo-means “light”) and biodegradable (bio- means “life”).
Photodegradable plastics break down into smaller pieces after exposure to a certain amount of sunlight.
Biodegradable plastics contain natural substances in addition to the plastic. The most common additive is
cornstarch. Cornstarch is made up of sugar that is broken down by microorganisms. When this happens,
the plastic breaks down into smaller pieces.
One area in which degradable plastics are being used today involves erosion control. In places where
land has been cleared, such as during highway construction, erosion control blankets made with layers
of degradable plastic and straw can be placed on the soil. The blanket keeps the soil from being washed
away until new plants have a chance to grow. Once the blanket has broken down, the plants’ roots will
be able to keep the soil in place.

1. Do you think photodegradable plastic that is buried in a landfill will

break down quickly? Explain.
2. Most landfills contain very little air and moisture, which many
microorganisms need to survive. How do you think these conditions
affect biodegradable plastic buried in a landfill?
3. Why do you think it is important that an erosion control blanket
break down after a few weeks or months?
 Name Date Class

Describing Matter
Write the letter of the correct answer on the line at the left.

1. ___ The physical property that makes metal 2. ___ Which of the following is true
pots good for cooking is about matter?
A flexibility A It is a solid that takes up space.
B electrical conductivity B It has mass and takes up space.
C flammability C It has mass and is usually a liquid.
D heat conductivity D It is always a substance.

3. ___ Which of the following is not true about 4. ___ Characteristics used to describe
a pool of water and a piece of ice? matter are called
A They have the same composition. A physical properties
B They are in different states of matter. B chemical properties
C They have different chemical properties. C both A and B
D They have different physical properties. D neither A nor B

Fill in the blank to complete each statement.

5. Solid, liquid, and gas are the three _____________ of matter.

6. The metal tungsten is used in incandescent light bulbs because of its

property of __________________________.

7. _____________ is the study of matter and the changes in matter.

8. The ability of iron to rust is a(n) _____________ property.

9. A(n) _____________ is a single kind of matter that has a specific composition.

10. Another term for the ability to burn is_____________.

Describing Matter
Answer Key

1. Answers will vary. Sample: All the objects in

the category were flexible. All the objects that
were not in the category were rigid.
2. Accept all reasonable responses. Sample: If
the category is flexibility, students may name
a rope, flag, poster board, and carpet.
3. Answers will vary. Sample: “Shape” describes
the object rather than the material the object
is made from. However, the ability to be
molded into a shape is a property.
4. Answers will vary. Sample: Ability to freeze
or melt; water is a liquid that freezes below
a given temperature (0°C). Above this
temperature, water is in its melted form.
1. No. The plastic must be exposed to sunlight in
order to break down quickly. If it is buried, no
sunlight will reach it.
2. With little air and moisture, microorganisms
that can break down the biodegradable plastics
cannot live. The plastics will not break down
very quickly and the volume of plastic trash will
increase.
3. Answers will vary. Sample: If an erosion control
blanket did not break down, there would be
a netting of plastic on the ground for a very
long time. This netting could be dangerous to
animals if they become entangled in it.

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up 1. D 2. B

space. All forms of matter have both physical
and chemical properties. Physical and chemical 3. C 4. C
properties are alike in that they describe, identify, 5. states 6. conducting electricity
and classify matter. A physical property is a
characteristic of a substance that can be observed 7. Chemistry 8. chemical
without changing it into a different substance.
9. substance 10. flammability
A chemical property is an ability to change into
different substances. In order to observe the
chemical properties of a substance, the substance
must be changed into a different substance.

1. physical 2. chemical

3. physical 4. physical

5. chemical 6. physical

7. true 8. chemistry

9. mass 10. chemical

11. physical