ICSE · Grade 6

Ch. 1: Matter

Matter occupies space and has mass. Three states — solid, liquid, gas — differ in particle arrangement, force and motion. Energy is not matter. States change by heating or cooling (melting, boiling, condensation, freezing, sublimation).

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What is matter? States of matter: solid, liquid, gas Particle model and intermolecular forces Change of state: heating and cooling Evaporation, condensation, sublimation, diffusion
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Interactive science lab — Matter

Watch particle motion. Click a state to compare solids, liquids and gases.

Solid

Particles are tightly packed. Strong attraction. They only vibrate. Fixed shape and volume. Not compressible.

  • Shape: fixed
  • Volume: fixed
  • Force: very strong
  • Gaps: almost none
Solid

Rigid · fixed shape · vibration only

Liquid

Flows · fixed volume · no fixed shape

Gas

Fills space · compressible · free motion

Change of state (heat / cool)

S
Solid
Melting 🔥
L
Liquid
Vapourisation 🔥
G
Gas
G
Gas
Condensation ❄️
L
Liquid
Freezing ❄️
S
Solid

Sublimation: solid → gas (skip liquid) · Deposition: gas → solid · Energy is not matter (no mass / no space).

Diffusion demo

Particles move from higher concentration to lower concentration until mixed.

Compare at a glance

SolidLiquidGas
ShapeFixedNot fixedNot fixed
VolumeFixedFixedNot fixed
GapsVery smallMediumVery large
Compress?NoNoYes
ForceStrongMediumWeak
# Level 2 — Concept Breakdown ## Definition **Matter** = anything that **occupies space** and has **mass**. ## Proof air is matter 1. **Space:** Inverted bottle resists water until tilted — air escapes as bubbles. 2. **Mass/weight:** Balanced balloons; deflate one → rod tilts. ## Building blocks - **Atoms** (protons, electrons, neutrons) - **Molecules** = two or more atoms combined ## Physical states | Property | Solid | Liquid | Gas | |----------|-------|--------|-----| | Shape | Fixed | Not fixed | Not fixed | | Volume | Fixed | Fixed | Not fixed | | Packing | Very close | Close, can slide | Far apart | | Force | Strong | Medium | Weak | | Gaps | Negligible | Moderate | Large | | Compress | No | No | Yes | | Flow | No (rigid) | Yes (fluid) | Yes (fluid) | | Motion | Vibration only | Slide / flow | Free & fast | ## Change of state - **Heating** → particles move faster → melting → vapourisation - **Cooling** → slower motion → condensation → freezing - **Evaporation:** liquid → vapour at ordinary temperatures - **Boiling:** at fixed boiling point - **Sublimation:** solid → gas (skip liquid) e.g. iodine - **Deposition:** gas → solid - **Diffusion:** particles move high concentration → low ## Interconversion Matter can change state and reverse when temperature/pressure change (water cycle is a nature example).
Interesting facts Common mistakes Vocabulary Revision notes

Topics in this chapter

  • What is matter?
    Occupies space and has mass. Air is matter. Energy is not matter.…
  • Atoms and molecules
    Atoms: protons, electrons, neutrons. Molecules: groups of atoms.…
  • Solid state
    Fixed shape and volume. Strong force. Pack tightly. Only vibrate. Rigid.…
  • Liquid state
    Fixed volume, no fixed shape. Can flow. More space than solids. Not compressed.…
  • Gaseous state
    No fixed shape or volume. Weak force. Large gaps. Compressible. Diffusion.…
  • Change of state
    Heat/cool changes motion. Melting, boiling, evaporation, condensation, freezing, sublimation, deposi…
  • Compare S/L/G
    Table of packing, force, shape, volume, compressibility.…

Philosophy check

  • What is this civilization?
  • Why was it advanced?
  • How did cities work?
  • Where do we still see these ideas?
  • Exams — what will be asked?