Saturday, February 27, 2010

5th grade homework.

Writing about states of matter, chemical changes, physical changes. Did you know that florescent lights are a plasma? "We" are having a grand time. If we both survive this paper, it will be a miracle.

Edit:Here's the paper!
Matter By: David Dunlap
Matter is everything you can see and touch. It is all around us. Matter changes both physically and chemically. Many of these changes can be seen in everyday life, but some can only be observed by scientists. The rest of this paper will explain what matter is, and what physical and chemical changes are.
Matter has many unique qualities. All matter is made of atoms. All atoms are made of protons neutrons and electrons. Matter is any substance that has mass, takes up space, and exists as a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. All matter is made of elements. Matter can be measured by mass (the amount of space in an object), density (the measure of how tightly packed an object is), and weight (the force of gravity between earth and an object). These are just some of matter’s unique qualities.
There are many ways matter changes chemically. A chemical change is when there is a temperature change, odor change, a color change, or when heat, light or a new substance is produced. A compound is two or more elements chemically combined. An example of a compound is a molecule. An example of a chemical change is when you mix baking soda and vinegar. A new substance, a gas, is produced. These are some examples of how matter changes chemically.
There are many ways that matter changes physically. A physical change is when matter changes from one form to another. An example of a physical change is when a solid turns to a liquid, a liquid turns to a gas, and a gas turns to plasma. The changes are caused by energy in the form of heat. As the temperature changes, the state of matter changes. For example, as the temperature of ice rises, it becomes water. As the temperature of water rises, it becomes vapor. Water’s boiling point is 212°F, or 100°C, freezing point is just below 32°F or 0°C, and melting point is just above32°F or 0°C. This can be measured with a thermometer. The changes that occur in mixtures and solutions are also physical changes. These are a few ways that matter changes physically.
Learning about matter helps scientists understand the world around us. By understanding the world, they can help people in their lives. For example, florescent lights are plasma made by running electricity through a gas. Without scientists’ understanding of plasma, this invention, and many others like it, could have never been invented.

7 comments:

M.M. said...

Man!!! What grade is this? I barely understood this in High School! Maybe I shouldn't admit that!
Good job, David and Mom!

Amy said...

Tell me about it!!!!

Melissa said...

I don't remember learning that in 5th grade either. Maybe I wasn't gifted.

Sawdust said...

Tell David Grandpa said it's a very good report. The science knowledge is very strong, and the writing is excellent, too.

Unknown said...

Wow!! Great work David and Mom. Didn't understand that in High School and still don't! You get and A+ in my grade book!! Love you and very proud of you!!

Unknown said...

Woops! I meant "an" A+ (typo).

Blackbird said...

Well, he's come a long way since he asked where snow came from and we put colored water in the microwave to watch it convert into steam and rise into the air. He came downstairs the next morning, looked out the window, and said, "Grandma, it worked! We made it snow!" (Grandma's response: "Great. Can you make it go away?")