Grade 5 · Properties of and Changes in Matter · Properties of and Changes in Matter
Classify Changes in Matter
Matter has mass and occupies space. It may change state, volume, or form, and sometimes it changes into one or more different substances.
Visual model
See how the ideas connect
For students
Notice, predict, explain
Choose one part of the model. Predict how it connects to another part, then use the lesson evidence to explain your thinking.
For teachers
Pause for science talk
Show the model before the explanation. Ask “What do you notice?” and “What might change?” Then revisit student ideas after the worked example.
The big idea
The result tells us what kind of change occurred
A physical change does not form a different substance. A chemical change forms different substances and may produce evidence such as an unexpected gas, colour change, temperature change, light, or precipitate.
Work it through
Compare melting ice and rusting iron
- Step 1 Ice absorbs thermal energy and melts from a solid into liquid water.
- Step 2 The substance remains water, so melting is a physical change and can be reversed by freezing.
- Step 3 Iron can react with oxygen and water to form rust, which has different properties from iron.
- Step 4 Because a different substance forms, rusting is a chemical change.