Lesson 1 | Classifying Matter

Student Labs and Activities Page Appropriate For:

Launch Lab 8 all students
Content Vocabulary 9 all students
Lesson Outline 10 all students
MiniLab 12 all students
Content Practice A 13
Content Practice B 14
School to Home 15 all students
Key Concept Builders 16
Enrichment 20 all students
Challenge 21

Assessment
Lesson Quiz A 22
Lesson Quiz B 23

Approaching Level On Level Beyond Level English-Language Learner

Teacher evaluation will determine which activities to use or modify to meet any student’s proficiency level.

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Launch Lab LESSON 1: 15 minutes

How do you classify matter?

An object made of paper bound together might be classified as a book. Pointed metal objects
might be classified as nails or needles. How can you classify an item based on its description?

Procedure
1. Read and complete a lab safety form. c. Individual objects are different.
2. Place the objects on a table. Discuss Some have one part, and others
how you might separate the objects have more than one part.
into groups with these characteristics: 3. Identify the objects that meet the
a. Every object is the same and has requirements for group a, and record
only one part. them in the Data and Observations
section below. Repeat with groups b
b. Every object is the same but is made
and c. Any object can be in more than
of more than one part.
one group.

Data and Observations

Think About This

1. Does any object from the bag belong in all three of the groups (a, b, and c)? Explain.

2. What objects in your classroom would fit into group b?

3. Key Concept What descriptions would you use to classify items around you?

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Content Vocabulary LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Directions: Write the correct term in the boxes to the right of each clue. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded
boxes to spell a tenth term.

atom compound dissolve element

heterogeneous mixture homogeneous mixture matter mixture
substance unique

1. has mass and takes up space

2. unlike anything else

3. oxygen or hydrogen, for example

4. Its composition is always the same.

5. Substances are evenly mixed in this.

6. building block of matter

7. Substances are not evenly mixed in

this.

8. water or carbon dioxide, for example

9. to form a solution by mixing evenly

10. When unscrambled, the letters in the shaded boxes spell ,

which is matter that can vary in composition.

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Lesson Outline LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
A. Understanding Matter
1. is anything that has mass and takes
up .

2. A(n) is a small particle that is a building block of matter.

B. Atoms
1. A(n) is at the center of the atom.
a. The nucleus is made up of , which have a(n)
charge, and , which have
no charge.

b. have a(n) charge and

move quickly around the nucleus.
2. Not all atoms have the same numbers of protons, , and
electrons.
C. Substances
1. A(n) is matter with a composition that is always the same.
2. One type of substance is a(n) , which contains only one
type of atom.
a. Each type of atom contains a different number of in
its nucleus.
b. The number of protons in an atom is called the of
the atom.
c. Most elements consist of atoms, but the atoms of
some elements exist in .

3. A(n) is a type of substance containing atoms of two or

more different elements chemically bonded together.
a. A chemical is the combination of symbols and
that represents a compound.

b. The symbols in a chemical formula show the different

in the compound.
c. The number of each type of atom in a chemical formula is given by
a(n) .

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Lesson Outline continued

d. If no subscript is written, only atom of the element is

in the chemical formula.

4. The properties of a(n) are different from the properties

of the elements it contains.
D. Mixtures
1. A(n) is matter that can vary in composition.
a. The components of a mixture are blended together,
so they can be separated by means.

b. The amounts of different components of a mixture can

from one sample to another.
2. In a(n) mixture, the individual substances are not
evenly mixed.
3. In a(n) mixture, the individual substances are evenly
mixed.
a. Another name for a homogeneous mixture is a(n) .
b. In a solution, one or more are dissolved in the
, which is the substance that is present in the largest
amount.

c. When something , it forms a solution by mixing

evenly.
E. Compounds v. Solutions
1. Chemical formulas can be used to describe but
not .

2. The components of a compound are combined, but the

components of a solution are combined.

3. The composition of a(n) can vary, but the composition

of a(n) does not vary.

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MiniLab LESSON 1: 20 minutes

How can you model an atom?

How can you model an atom out of its three basic parts?

Procedure
1. Read and complete a lab safety form.
the nucleus from the center of the
2. Twist the ends of a piece of florist X with fishing line.
wire together to form a ring. Attach
4. Use fishing line to suspend each small
two wires across the ring to form an X.
pom-pom (electron) from the ring so
3. Use double-sided tape to join the they surround the nucleus.
large pom-poms (protons and
5. Suspend your model as instructed by
neutrons), forming a nucleus. Hang
your teacher.

Analyze and Conclude

1. Infer Based on your model, what can you infer about the relative sizes of protons,
neutrons, and electrons?

2. Model Why is it difficult to model the location of electrons?

3. Key Concept Compare your atom with those of other groups. How do they differ?
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Content Practice A LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Each term is
used only once.

1. anything that has mass and takes up space A. atom

2. a small particle that is a building block of matter B. compound
C. element
3. matter with a composition that is always the
same D. dissolve
4. a substance that consists of just one type of atom E. heterogeneous
mixture
5. a substance that contains atoms of two or more
elements chemically bonded together F. homogeneous
mixture
6. matter that can vary in composition G. matter
7. mixture in which the individual substances are H. mixture
not evenly mixed I. substance
8. mixture in which the individual substances are
evenly mixed

9. to form a solution by mixing evenly

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Content Practice B LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Directions: Answer each question or respond to each statement in the space provided.

Question Answer

1. What particles make up atoms?

2. Describe the electrical charges of

the particles in atoms.

3. What are the two main

classifications of matter?

4. How do the two main

classifications of matter differ?

5. How are atoms related to

elements?

6. How are elements related to

compounds?

7. What can you learn about a

compound from its chemical
formula?

8. Compare a heterogeneous
mixture and a homogeneous
mixture.

9. Compare a solvent and a solute.

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School to Home LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Directions: Use your textbook to complete each activity.

1. Fill in the table to compare and contrast different types of matter. For each type of matter,
write a definition and provide at least one specific example.

Type of Matter Definition Example

element

compound

heterogeneous
mixture

homogeneous
mixture

2. In the space below, make a diagram that shows the general structure of an atom. Draw
and label the nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons.

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Key Concept Builder LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Key Concept What is a substance?
Directions: On each line, write the term from the word bank that correctly completes each sentence. Each term is
used only once.

atoms combination composition compounds

elements matter substances
A substance is one of the two main kinds of (1.) . The

(2.) of a substance is always the same. This means that a given

substance is always made up of (3.) in the

same (4.) . Aluminum, oxygen, water, and sugar are examples of

(5.) . There are two main kinds of substances—

(6.) and (7.) .

Directions: Draw an atom and label its parts in the space provided. Then write a caption explaining how atoms
are related to substances.

Caption:

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Key Concept Builder LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Key Concept How do atoms of different elements differ?
Directions: On the line before each statement, write the letter of the correct answer.

1. An element consists of just one type of

A. atom.
B. mixture.
C. compound.
2. Each type of atom contains a different number of protons in its
A. neutron.
B. electron.
C. nucleus.
3. The number of protons in an atom determines an element’s
A. composition.
B. atomic number.
C. chemical formula.
4. The atoms of most elements exist
A. as individual atoms.
B. in pairs.
C. in groups.

Directions: Write the correct term from the word bank on the line next to what it is identifying.

atomic number name symbol

Aluminum 5.

13 6.

Al 7.

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Key Concept Builder LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Key Concept How do mixtures differ from substances?
Directions: On the line before each statement, write S if the statement describes a substance, HE if the statement
describes a heterogeneous mixture, or HO if the statement describes a homogeneous mixture. Some statements may
have more than one correct answer.

1. is also known as a solution

2. can vary in composition

3. is chemically bonded together

4. does not vary in composition

5. is made of a solvent and solutes

6. is unevenly mixed

7. is evenly mixed
Directions: Answer each question on the lines provided.

8. What is a substance?

9. What is a mixture?

10. Can substances and mixtures be separated by physical means? Explain.

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Key Concept Builder LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Key Concept How can you classify matter?
Directions: Complete the chart with the correct terms or phrases on the lines provided.

Matter
• anything that (1.)
• most made of (2.)
• two classifications of matter: (3.) and
(4.)

Substances
• Composition (5.) vary.
• two types of substances: (6.) and (7.)

Elements
• made of only one type of (8.)
• organized on the (9.)
• can be identified by its (10.)

Compounds
• made of atoms of two or more different (11.)
that are (12.)

• can be identified by its chemical (13.)

Mixtures
• Composition (14.) vary.
• two types of mixtures: (15.) and (16.)

Heterogeneous mixture
• two or more (17.) mixed substances

Homogeneous mixture
• two or more (18.) mixed substances

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Enrichment LESSON 1

The Birth of an Element

What happens when you take two small
pieces of clay and smash them together? have not been able to study their properties.
The single piece that results is as big as the Element 114 lasted between 20 and
two smaller pieces. This is similar to what 30 seconds. That is much longer than the
scientists do to synthesize a new element. life span of elements 109 through 112,
Synthesis is the combination of two or so it was the first of the recently synthesized
more things to form something new. elements that was considered to be
somewhat stable.
In 1994, after ten years of work, a group
of researchers collided nickel and lead
atoms. The two elements fused, and a new, Gone in the Blink of an Eye
much heavier synthetic element, number Element 116 was in existence for only
110, was created. Although element 110 0.0012 seconds, and element 118 was
lasted only 0.001 seconds before breaking around for only 0.0002 seconds. Element
down, its discovery helped provide a better 118 formed when scientists bombarded
understanding of superheavy elements and lead with a million trillion krypton ions
how they can be synthesized. for more than ten days. Three atoms of
element 118 came out of this experiment.
Adding to the Periodic Table The atoms quickly broke down into
elements 116, 114, and other elements.
Between 1994 and 1999, Russian,
German, and American scientists synthesized Because of this experiment, scientists
many other new elements, including think they can make element 119 by
elements 111, 112, 114, 116, and 118. colliding bismuth and krypton. They
hypothesize that element 119 would break
These elements were synthesized using a
down into elements 117, 115, and 113. The
device called a particle accelerator. It
periodic table of the elements contains
accelerates atomic particles to a high speed.
117 chemical elements whose discoveries
When particles traveling close to the speed
have been confirmed. Ninety-four are found
of light collide, they form a new element.
naturally on Earth, and the rest are synthetic
Because these elements break down elements that have been produced in
within such a short period of time, scientists particle accelerators.

Applying Critical-Thinking Skills

Directions: Respond to each statement.

1. Recognize Cause and Effect Use a periodic table of the elements to explain how colliding
lead and nickel atoms could produce an element assigned the atomic number of 110.

2. Interpret Data Name two solid, metal elements that scientists might use to synthesize
an element with an atomic number of 129.
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Challenge LESSON 1

Measuring Matter
Matter is defined as anything that has mass and takes up space. How do you know if
something has mass? How much mass does it have? Does it take up space? How much space
does it occupy? Mass, length, width, height, and volume are measurements that can be
applied to matter.

Choose Units and Tools and Measure Objects

Matter as small as a molecule can be measured in terms of meters—nanometers (10 −9)
or picometers (10−12). Practice measuring matter that is bigger than a molecule. Select a
measurement, an SI unit of measurement, and an appropriate measuring instrument to
measure each of the objects (matter) listed in the table below. In the last column, explain
your reason for choosing a unit of measurement and the instrument to measure it with.
Use the words below to help fill out the table.
grams height millimeter metric ruler
balance scale volume mass kilogram
meter centimeter graduated cylinder meterstick
width digital scale (in kg) milliliter length

Measuring Matter

Object What You are SI Unit of Measuring Actual Reason for

Measuring Measurement Instrument Measurement Your Choices
science book

desk

backpack
with books

door

pencil

mound of salt

thickness of a
writing tablet
concrete slab
in a section
of sidewalk
small container
of water

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Lesson Quiz A LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Matching
Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Each term is
used only once.

1. a small particle that is a building block of matter

A. atom
2. a substance that consists of just one type of atom B. mixture
3. a combination of two or more substances C. element
physically blended together
D. matter
4. anything that has mass and takes up space

Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each question or statement, write the letter of the correct answer.

5. Which item is a substance?

A. aluminum
B. apple juice
C. muddy water
6. The number of protons in an atom of an element is the element’s
A. atomic mass.
B. atomic number.
C. element symbol.
7. H2O is an example of
A. an atomic number.
B. an element symbol.
C. a chemical formula.
8. The individual substances that make up a are not evenly mixed.
A. compound
B. homogeneous mixture
C. heterogeneous mixture

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Lesson Quiz B LESSON 1

Classifying Matter
Matching
Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Not all terms
are used.

1. a small particle that is a building block

of matter A. atom
B. compound
2. a substance that consists of just one type
of atom C. mixture
3. a combination of two or more substances D. element
physically blended together E. electron
4. anything that has mass and takes up space F. matter

Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each statement, write the letter of the correct answer.

5. Aluminum and carbon dioxide are examples of

A. mixtures.
B. solutions.
C. substances.
D. compounds.
6. The number of protons in an atom of an element is the element’s
A. atomic mass.
B. atomic number.
C. element symbol.
D. chemical formula.
7. A kind of matter that is classified as a solution could also be classified as
A. a mixture.
B. an element.
C. a substance.
D. a compound.
8. A chemical formula represents the different
A. substances in a mixture.
B. properties of an element.
C. parts that make up an atom.
D. elements that make up compounds.

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