Grade 6 · Science · Unit 1 of 8
Particles and Heat
How heating and cooling change matter
What your child practises
Solids, liquids and gases in the particle model, faster particles when heated and slower when cooled, melting, freezing, evaporation and condensation, and why mass stays the same in a phase change.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: 6M 1.1 · the particle model, how particles move when heated or cooled, and phase changes
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Butter left on a warm counter gets soft and runny. What is happening?
- The particles are disappearing
- The butter is freezing
- Heated particles move faster, so the solid is starting to melt
Show answer
Heated particles move faster, so the solid is starting to melt
Hint: Heating a solid can make it a liquid.
Question 2
Which state of matter fills its whole container?
- Liquid
- Solid
- Gas
Show answer
Gas
Hint: Gas particles spread out in every direction.
Question 3
What is evaporation?
- A liquid changing to a gas
- A gas changing to a liquid
- A solid changing to a liquid
Show answer
A liquid changing to a gas
Hint: A puddle dries as liquid water becomes water vapour.
Question 4
What is condensation?
- A liquid changing to a solid
- A gas changing to a liquid
- A solid changing to a gas
Show answer
A gas changing to a liquid
Hint: Water drops form on a cold glass on a warm day.
Question 5
What is freezing?
- A liquid changing to a solid
- A gas changing to a liquid
- A solid changing to a liquid
Show answer
A liquid changing to a solid
Hint: Cooling slows particles down until they stay in place.
Question 6
Why does water vapour form drops on the cold bathroom mirror?
- The vapour freezes into ice
- The vapour loses heat and condenses into liquid
- The mirror makes water
Show answer
The vapour loses heat and condenses into liquid
Hint: Cooling a gas can change it to a liquid.