What's the Matter

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In this activity, learners identify different classes of matter based on physical properties. This lab activity introduces the key ingredients of concrete and provides a deeper understanding of the physical properties of concrete. Safety notes: Wear safety goggles. Wear gloves, because some of the materials may cause skin irritation.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 14 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • test tubes
  • magnet
  • magnifying glass
  • water
  • wooden splints
  • samples of sand, water, gravel, cement, and concrete
  • other samples, such as: baking soda, a balloon filled with air, iron filings, flour, sulfur, corn starch, sugar, vermiculite or perlite, styrofoam beads, salt, pepper, clay

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
  • Physical Sciences
    • Electricity and Magnetism
      • Electromagnetic Fields
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Bonding
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Solutions
    • States of Matter
      • Solids
      • Liquids
      • Gases
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • smell
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation Education and Human Resource Directorate, ESI 92-53386
  • National Science Foundation Center for Advanced Cement Based Materials
  • Dow Chemical Foundation
  • Materials Research Society
  • Iron and Steel Society
  • Peoria Chapter of the American Society for Metals