We really dove into our study of the states of matter on Thursday! We learned about molecules – the particles that make up matter. We started by watching a bit of The Magic School Bus, which showed us what molecules look like close-up! Next, we talked about how molecules look inside each state of matter. In a solid, the molecules are really close together so they have a hard time moving around – kind of like being stuck in a traffic jam! This is why solids keep their shape regardless of their container. As molecules warm up, they spread out. So, the molecules in liquids are not as tightly packed as those in solids. That helps them move around more than a solid. The molecules in gasses are so far apart that they don’t have a certain shape.
We discussed how Isaac Newton was the scientist who studied the states of matter, so when a material doesn’t fit his “rule”, it is called a non-Newtonian fluid. Of course, we had to see one in real life! We made “oobleck” out of corn starch and water. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid because it becomes a solid when pressure is applied but is a liquid when there is no pressure on it. We had so much fun experimenting with the substance, trying out different consistencies, and getting MESSY!
