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5th grade · Science · Unit 5 of 10

Measuring Matter

Mass, volume, density and particles

What your child practices

Measuring mass (grams, kilograms) and volume (milliliters, liters), comparing density, why gases compress and solids do not, and how the particle model explains it.

Arizona Academic Standards learning standard: 5.P1U1.1 · measuring matter and identifying materials by their properties

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Mass is the amount of matter in something. Volume is the space it takes up.
  2. Density compares mass to volume. A lead cube is denser than a wood cube of the same size.
  3. Gas particles are far apart, so a gas can be squeezed. Liquids and solids hardly squeeze.

Example: Two same-size blocks: steel and foam. Which has greater density? They have the same volume. The steel block has much more mass packed into it. Answer: the steel block

Measuring Matter in Arizona

In the Arizona Academic Standards, this is unit 5 of 10 in 5th grade Science, after Physical or Chemical? and before Speed & Motion.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which tool measures mass?

    ⚖️
    • a ruler
    • a thermometer
    • a measuring cup
    • a balance scale

  2. Question 2

    SI units for the volume of a liquid include…

    • meters and centimeters
    • milliliters and liters
    • degrees Celsius
    • grams and kilograms

  3. Question 3

    Why can air be compressed more than water?

    • Water particles are bigger
    • Air particles do not move
    • Water has no particles
    • Gas particles are far apart, so they can be pushed closer together

  4. Question 4

    A liquid is poured from a tall glass into a wide bowl. What happens to its volume?

    • It stays the same
    • It becomes a gas
    • It gets bigger
    • It gets smaller

  5. Question 5

    A 100 mL sample of liquid A has a mass of 90 g. A 100 mL sample of liquid B has a mass of 120 g. Which is denser?

    • liquid A
    • it cannot be known
    • liquid B
    • they are the same

  6. Question 6

    A student wants to find out which of two liquids is denser. What should be the same for both?

    • the room's air
    • the color of each liquid
    • the name on the bottle
    • the volume of each liquid

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