States of Matter Interactive Simulation

Matter changes state as its temperature changes. Cold particles vibrate in a fixed lattice (solid); warmer particles break free and flow past each other (liquid); hot particles spread out and move freely (gas). Students can change temperature and compare what happens. Use it for chemistry inquiry with Grades 1–2 and Grades 4–5 on a projector or student device.

Standards: NGSS 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-4

• How heating speeds particles up and cooling slows them down
• Why a solid holds its shape but a gas fills its container
• The melting and boiling points where the state changes

1. 1Predict how changing temperature will affect the visible outcome, then test the prediction.
2. 2Use evidence from the interactive visual to explain the result.

Questions teachers ask