Particle Nature of Matter

A Critical Content in Grade 8 Science

Trainer:
Joel I. Ballesteros, M.Sc., R.Ch. (UP NISMED)
Learning Competencies:
• Describe the properties of solids, liquids,
and gases based on the particle nature of
matter.

• Explain physical changes in terms of the

arrangement and motion of atoms and
molecules.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Particle Nature of Matter
PREREQUISITE CONCEPTS (REVIEW)
Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
Procedure:
2. If your group cannot agree on a common answer, you may
put a check mark under “not sure” and write all the reasons
given by the members of your group.
Q1. What similarities do you observe among the first five given
samples? Write these common characteristics.
 
Q2. Does each sample have a measurable mass? Prove your
answer by demonstrating how you measure the mass of each
sample. Record the mass you got for each sample.
 
Q3. Do you think that each sample occupies space? Write the
reason (s) for your answer.
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
 
Q4. How about smoke? Does it have a mass? Does it
occupy space? Explain your answer.
 
Q5. Do you think that heat and light have mass? Do they
occupy space? Explain your answer.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
Matter
is anything that has:
- mass and; a measure of the amount
- volume. of matter the object has.

a measure of the space

occupied by an object.
Examples:
❑ salt (or sugar)
❑ water
❑ stone
❑ air inside a ball

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
occupies space
mass

MATTER vs non-matter
phase change

solid vs liquid vs gas mixtures

heterogeneous
shape and volume homogeneous
compressibility
ease of flow

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
occupies space
mass

MATTER vs non-matter
phase change

solid vs liquid vs gas mixtures

heterogeneous
shape and volume homogeneous
compressibility
ease of flow

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
occupies space
mass

MATTER vs non-matter
phase change

solid vs liquid vs gas mixtures

heterogeneous
shape and volume homogeneous
compressibility
ease of flow

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
solid liquid gas
has fixed has fixed takes the
shape & volume and volume and volume and
volume shape takes the shape of the
shape of the container
container
cannot be cannot be can be
compressibility compressed compressed compressed
easily easily easily

ease of flow does not flow flows easily flows easily

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
occupies space
mass

MATTER vs non-matter
phase change

solid vs liquid vs gas mixtures

heterogeneous
shape and volume homogeneous
compressibility
ease of flow

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Review of the Prerequisite Concepts:
Mixture
made up of two or more different substances.
Homogenous Mixture
a mixture wherein the component
substances are indistinguishable from
each other.
Heterogeneous Mixture
a mixture wherein the component
substances can be distinguished from
each other.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Particle Nature of Matter
IMPORTANT ASPECTS (CONTENT)
Important Aspects of the Particle
Nature of Matter:
I. Matter is composed of tiny particles.
II. The particles have spaces between them.
III. The particles are moving all the time.
IV. The particles of matter attract each other.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

I. Matter is composed of tiny particles
Activity 2: What is matter made of?
 
Objective:
After performing this activity, you should be able to infer
that matter is made up of numerous tiny particles.
 Materials needed per group:
• Food coloring solution in glass bottle
• ¼ cup of water
• 4 pieces of vials with 5 mL and 10 mL mark
• 1 piece of dropper

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

I. Matter is composed of tiny particles
Analogy:

Photo courtesy of Maria

Laura V. Ginoy

Figure 1(a). Continuous

image of a pointillist Figure 1(b). Blown-up image
painting of a portion of Figure 1a.
Dots are more conspicuous.
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
I. Matter is composed of tiny particles
A particle can be an/a:
Atom
– from the Greek word "atomos"
meaning indivisible.
– smallest particle of an element that
has all the properties of the element.
– measured in angstrom (1 A = 1/10
million mm)
– can be viewed using a scanning
tunneling microscope (STM)
Molecule
consists of two or more atoms combined together in a
specific arrangement.
It can be a combination of atoms of the same element or
of different elements.
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
I. Matter is composed of tiny particles
History of atom:
Leucippus and Democritus (2500 years ago)
• believed that nature consisted of two things,
“atoms and the void that surrounds them”.
• believed that “atoms are physically, but not
geometrically, indivisible.
• the idea was challenged by Aristotle.

John Dalton (1800)

• revived Democritus ideas.
• this time, the idea was supported by experimental
results.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

II. The particles have spaces between them.

Activity 3. What is between the particles of matter?

Objective:
After performing this activity, you should be able to infer
that there is an empty space in between the particles of
matter.
 

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

II. The particles have spaces between them.

gas particles
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
II. The particles have spaces between them.

water particles
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
II. The particles have spaces between them.

sugar particles
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
II. The particles have spaces between them.

Activity 3. What is between the particles of matter?

Objective:
After performing this activity, you should be able to infer
that there is an empty space in between the particles of
matter.
 

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

II. The particles have spaces between them.

empty
space:
solid < liquid < gas

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

III. The particles are moving all the time.
Activity 4. Are the particle of matter moving?
 Objective:
After performing this activity, you should be able to infer that
the particles of matter always move.

 Materials needed per group:

• 1 cup of tap water
• 1 piece of wide mouth PET bottle (can hold one cup of water)
• ½ cup of vinegar in small plastic container (black container)
• 1 drop of food coloring (any dark color)
• 1 dropper

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

III. The particles are moving all the time.

vinegar
solution

gaseous vinegar particles

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
III. The particles are moving all the time.

vinegar
solution

gaseous vinegar particles

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
III. The particles are moving all the time.

solid liquid gas

vibrate at fixed vibrate and move vibrate and move

position from one place to from one place to
another another at faster
speed than liquid.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

IV. The particles of matter attract each other.
Activity 5. Are there attractive forces between the particles of
matter?
 
Objective:
After performing this activity, you should be able to infer
that the particles of matter interact with each other.
 
Materials needed per group:
• 1 cup of tap water
• 2 pieces of PET bottles
• 2 pieces of deformed paper clips

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

IV. The particles of matter attract each other.
Procedure:
1. Into an empty PET bottle, drop a piece of paper clip.
Q1. How long does it take for the paper clip to reach the
bottom of the bottle?

2. Fill the PET bottle with water.

3. Drop a piece of paper clip into the bottle filled with water.
  Q2. How long does it take for the paper clip to reach the
bottom of the bottle? Compare it with the observation in
Q1.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

IV. The particles of matter attract each other.

Strength of
attractive solid > liquid > gas
forces:

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Explaining the properties of solid, liquid, and
gas using the particle model of matter
solid liquid gas
has fixed has fixed takes the
shape & volume volume and volume and volume and
shape takes the shape of the
shape of the container
container
cannot be cannot be can be
compressibility compressed compressed compressed
easily easily easily

ease of flow does not flow flows easily flows easily

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Explaining the properties of solid, liquid, and
gas using the particle model of matter
solid liquid gas
has fixed has fixed takes the
shape & volume volume and volume and volume and
shape takes the shape of the
shape of the container
container
cannot be cannot be can be
compressibility compressed compressed compressed
easily easily easily

ease of flow does not flow flows easily flows easily

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Explaining phase changes using the particle
model of matter

gas co
nd
en
sa
ev tio
ap n
or
sublimation
ati
deposition on
liquid
l ti ng
me
z ing
r e e
solid f

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Summary:

4 key aspects of the properties of matter

particle model of matter phase change

Matter is made up of tiny particles.

The particles have spaces between them.
The particles are moving all the time.
The particles of matter attract each other.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

 Prepared by:
Joel I. Ballesteros, M.Sc., R.Ch. (UP NISMED)
Marlene B. Ferido, Ph.D. (UP NISMED)

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

 QUESTIONS/
CLARIFICATIONS?

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice: Choose the best answer.
1. Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding the
particle model of matter?
A. Matter is composed of tiny particles.
B. The spaces in between the particles are filled with air.
C. The particles of matter are constantly moving.
D. The particles of matter attract each other.

2. What happens to the particles of a liquid when it is

heated?
E. The spaces between the particles continue to decrease.
F. The attractive forces between the particles start to
weaken.
G. The particles slow down.
H. The particles start to repel each other.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
3. Which of the following has the strongest force of
attraction between the particles?
A. Solid
B. Liquid
C. Gas
D. Vacuum

4. Which best describe the particles of a solid?

E. completely unmoving
F. have large spaces in between
G. vibrating at fixed position
H. have a weak attractive force
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
Multiple Choice:
5. A particle consisting of two or more atoms combined
together in a specific arrangement.
A. atom
B. particle
C. molecule
D. angstrom

6. Unit use to measure the size of an atom which is equal to

one ten millionth of a millimeter.
E. atom
F. particle
G. molecule
H. angstrom

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
7. The smallest particle of an element that has all
the properties of the element.
A. Atom
B. particle
C. molecule
D. angstrom

8. Why do solids have a fixed shape?

A. The particles vibrate
B. The particles are closely packed
C. The particles are fixed in place
D. The particles are slightly apart

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
9. A Greek word meaning “indivisible”.
A. Atemos B. Atomos
C. Atomes D. Atumos

10. What is the fundamental unit of matter?

A. Atom B. Element
C. Molecules D. Particles

11. He believed that all matter consisted of

extremely small particles that could not be divided.
B. Aristotle B. Democritus
C. J.J Thomson D. John Newlands

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
12. He formulated the Atomic theory.
A. Democritus B. Dmitri Mendeleev
C. Johann Dobereiner D. John Dalton

13 Give atleast one example of the important

aspects of matter.

14-15 what is matter and give an example.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

ANSWERS

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice: Choose the best answer.
1. Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding the
particle model of matter?
A. Matter is composed of tiny particles.
B. The spaces in between the particles are filled with air.
C. The particles of matter are constantly moving.
D. The particles of matter attract each other.

2. What happens to the particles of a liquid when it is

heated?
E. The spaces between the particles continue to decrease.
F. The attractive forces between the particles start to
weaken.
G. The particles slow down.
H. The particles start to repel each other.

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
3. Which of the following has the strongest force of
attraction between the particles?
A. Solid
B. Liquid
C. Gas
D. Vacuum

4. Which best describe the particles of a solid?

E. completely unmoving
F. have large spaces in between
G. vibrating at fixed position
H. have a weak attractive force
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter
Multiple Choice:
5. A particle consisting of two or more atoms combined
together in a specific arrangement.
A. atom
B. particle
C. molecule
D. angstrom

6. Unit use to measure the size of an atom which is equal to

one ten millionth of a millimeter.
E. atom
F. particle
G. molecule
H. angstrom

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
7. The smallest particle of an element that has all
the properties of the element.
A. Atom
B. particle
C. molecule
D. angstrom

8. Why do solids have a fixed shape?

A. The particles vibrate
B. The particles are closely packed
C. The particles are fixed in place
D. The particles are slightly apart

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
9. What is the fundamental unit of matter?
A. Atom B. Element
C. Molecules D. Particles

10. A Greek word meaning “indivisible”.

B. Atemos B. Atomos
C. Atomes D. Atumos

11. He believed that all matter consisted of extremely small

particles that could not be divided.
C. Aristotle B. Democritus
C. J.J Thomson D. John Newlands

Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter

Multiple Choice:
12. He formulated the Atomic theory.
A. Democritus B. Dmitri Mendeleev
C. Johann Dobereiner D. John Dalton
13 Give atleast one example of the important
aspects of matter.
A. Matter is composed of tiny particles.
B. The particles of matter have spaces between
them.
C. The particles of matter are constantly moving.
D. The particles of matter attract each other.
14-15 Matter is anything that occupies space and
has mass and volume.
Critical Content in Grade 8 Science: Particle Nature of Matter