Science / Year 7 / Science understanding / Chemical sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

use particle theory to describe the arrangement of particles in a substance, including the motion of and attraction between particles, and relate this to the properties of the substance (AC9S7U05)

Elaborations
  • using and constructing models, diagrams or virtual simulations to represent changes in particle arrangement as substances change state
  • relating motion and energy of particles to distances between particles of the same substance in different states
  • comparing attractive forces in the solid, liquid and gaseous states of the same substance and relating this to relative position and movement of particles
  • examining how the changing motion and energy of particles is affected by the amount of heat energy absorbed or released
  • comparing the properties of different states of matter and explaining differences using particle theory
  • investigating properties of materials such as density, melting point and compressibility and explaining these in terms of particle arrangement
  • explaining the process of diffusion in a liquid and a gas in terms of particles
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

States of matter

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Relightable candle

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of relighting a candle. This activity is most likely to be done as a teacher demonstration for safety and classroom management reasons, particularly at primary school level. Do this experiment to learn how a candle ...

Interactive

Melting and Boiling Point

Students use this resource consisting of eight slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand what happens, in terms of energy and particle movement, when a substance changes state from solid to liquid to gas. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

The Particle Theory

Students use this resource consisting of four slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the different behaviour of particles in matter in solid, liquid and gaseous states. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Laptop Wrap: Particle model

A webpage with a focus on investigating the particle model of matter with supporting activities and links to resources.

Video

Density Simulation (sk-Intel)

This resource is in the style of an 'authentic' scientific investigation. The investigation is set in a crime lab where finding the densities of the various items can solve the crime. The tool enables students to explore mass and volume for a variety of solids and liquids and hence determine their densities.

Video

Change of State

This simulation allows students to change the temperature and observe the changes at macro and micro level to water. It reinforces the Particle Theory.

Audio

Microwave explosions

This ABC article and podcast by Dr Karl describes how superheated water can be produced by heating in a microwave and the dangers. This program could be a useful resource when studying the particle theory of matter.

Audio

Lakes in Antarctica

Scientists are not complacent. We still have a lot to learn about the water cycle. The discovery of glacial lakes under the ice in Antarctica actively transporting water between reservoirs was a surprise. These lakes can be up to 3km beneath the ice sheets. The pressure of the ice above helps to melt the ice, forming lakes. ...

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Magic potion

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of dropping dry ice into food coloured water. Safety regulations should be checked and followed.

Online

Water: learn it for life! - year 7 science

This PDF unit of work is one of a series of resources accessible by searching the list in the series.It includes two teaching and learning sequences: 'Water journeys' focuses on the water cycle, and 'Pure water' focuses on the processes and people involved in creating and managing drinkable water. It provides Australian ...

Video

Squeaky sand

This six minute video segment from Catalyst Two compares two beaches, one with white squeaky sand, the other with darker non-squeaky sand and their sand studied under a microscope. Dr Tim Senden attempts to shed some light on this mystery with the use of a visual model. Sand avalanches and the production of sound come into ...

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Magic rocking candle

This resource contains a materials and instruction list and brief explanation for students about the process of burning both ends of a balancing candle. This activity is most likely to be done as a teacher demonstration for safety and classroom management reasons, particularly at primary school level.

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Shrinking and expanding metals

Explore with the Surfing Scientist team what happens when metals are heated and cooled. Find out what happens to a metal ring when it is immersed in extremely cold liquid nitrogen. What do hinges on the Sydney Harbour Bridge have to do with all this? Find out.

Online

Heat changes everything

In this learning sequence, students explore a simple particle model for matter, heat energy and thermal expansion. They apply their learning to the context of expansion and contraction of rail lines and investigate ways that this is mitigated in real situations involving rail lines. They subsequently explain this to young ...

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Picking up ice cubes with string

Imagine trying to pick up a slippery ice cube with just a piece of string. Watch the Surfing Scientist team demonstrate how it can be done, using a surprising additive.

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Properties and behaviour of gases

All substances are made up of tiny particles. A change in temperature can change the way these particles behave. Watch as the Surfing Scientist demonstrates how a gas behaves when it is heated. Find out whether the balloon gets sucked or pushed into the bottle!

Interactive

Types of matter: solids, liquids and gases

Select samples from an outdoor setting. Magnify the substances to atomic level so that the particles they consist of can be seen. Sort the substances into groups based on how the particles are arranged and how they move. Classify the substances as solids, liquids or gases. For example, classify argon as a gas and ice as ...

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Ice Balloons

This activity invites students to experiment with a frozen water balloon and learn about water chemistry, phase changes, and density. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for further activities.

Video

AERO Ochre Science Year 7 Unit 1 - Particles

This sequence of 10 lessons focuses on building students' knowledge of particles and states of matter. They will learn about the differences in states of matter and the transition between them.

Online

Carbon is energy

We all use energy every day. Energy is available to us in many different forms - food, heat, electricity, petrol. But where does it all come from? This unit investigates the science of energy, renewable and non-renewable energy sources and how they can be sustained into the future. The unit includes PDF resources and video ...