Grade 5 · Science · Unit 5 of 12
Solid, Liquid, Gas
Mass, volume and particles
What your child practises
Matter as anything with mass and volume, how particles are arranged in solids, liquids and gases, and why materials are chosen for their properties.
Ontario Curriculum expectation: C2.1, C2.2, C2.7 · matter, mass and volume, the states of matter, and why properties make materials useful
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which state of matter takes the shape of its container but keeps the same volume?
- Solid
- Gas
- Liquid
Show answer
Liquid
Hint: Water in a glass fills the bottom of the glass and keeps its volume.
Question 2
Which tool measures the mass of an object?
- A graduated cylinder
- A balance
- A thermometer
Show answer
A balance
Hint: A balance compares masses. A graduated cylinder measures the volume of a liquid.
Question 3
Which is a gas at room temperature?
- Milk
- The helium in a party balloon
- A wooden spoon
Show answer
The helium in a party balloon
Hint: Helium floats in a balloon because it is a gas.
Question 4
Matter is anything that…
- is alive
- has mass and takes up space
- can be seen
Show answer
has mass and takes up space
Hint: Even air is matter: it has mass and takes up space, even though you cannot see it.
Question 5
A plastic bottle holds 500 mL of water. The cap is on. If you squeeze the sides, what happens to the volume of the water?
- It doubles
- It drops to about 250 mL
- It stays about 500 mL
Show answer
It stays about 500 mL
Hint: Liquids are almost impossible to compress.
Question 6
Sand can be poured like a liquid. Why is each grain still a solid?
- Each grain keeps its own shape and volume
- Sand grains are made of liquid
- Sand has no mass
Show answer
Each grain keeps its own shape and volume
Hint: The pile flows, but each tiny grain is a solid.