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
# Exam Tips — Matter ## Definitions to learn - Matter occupies **space** and has **mass** - Solid / liquid / gas definitions - Evaporation, condensation, sublimation, deposition, melting, freezing - Diffusion ## Table mastery Compare solid, liquid, gas on shape, volume, force, space, compressibility. ## Common MCQ traps - Energy is matter ❌ - Nucleus is a subatomic particle ❌ (proton, electron, neutron are) - Liquids are highly compressible ❌ - Gases have fixed volume ❌ - Sublimation goes through liquid ❌ ## Draw Particle diagrams for solid (tight grid), liquid (touching but loose), gas (far apart).
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?