Ms. Rotondi
February 10, 2012
St. Augustine School
Grade 6B
Science Project Background Research
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Matter can be classified into three groups: solids,
liquids, and gases. The particles in a solid are closely packed together and vibrate in place. It has a definite
shape and a definite volume. Liquids have particles that are closely packed together but not as close as solids.
The particles move freely over and around each other, but not far away for each other, They have a definite
volume, but not a definite shape. Liquids will take the shape of their container. Gases are the last group of
matter. Their particles move freely away from each other quickly. They have no definite shape or volume.
This means that gases will move to fill up the space they are in. They won't stop moving until they hit a barrier.
How fast particles move depends on the amount of energy they have. The more energy they have the faster
they move, the less energy they have the slower they move.
Sources
Website
i'
1. "Chem4Kids.com: Matter." R'l[der's CHEM4KIDS.COM.
<http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter
Web. 10 Feb. 2012.
jntro.html>.
2. "Temperature, Thermal Energy, and Heat." Motion, Forces, and Energy. Boston: Pearson, 2009. 176-79.
Print.