Particle Power Slides Physical Science Core
Unit 1 • Matter & Energy
Particle Power
Discovering what matter is, where it hides, and how atoms build our universe.
Atoms & Elements
Density & Mass
4 States of Matter
What is Matter?
The Foundation of Stuff
The 2 Rules of Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space (volume).
⚖️ Mass: How much "stuff" is inside it.
📦 Volume: The 3D space it fills.
Turn & Talk Check!
Which of these are MATTER, and which are NOT?
🌬️ Air
💡 Sunlight
💧 Water
🎵 Sound
💡 Energy (light, sound, heat) is NOT matter!
Where is matter? In air, stars, oceans, rocks, phones, and inside you!
The Atom
Nature's Building Block
Smallest Unit
An atom is the basic building block of all matter.
Unbelievably Tiny
A single grain of sand contains about 50 quintillion atoms!
Lego Analogy
Atoms snap together in different ways to make everything around us!
🔑 Core Idea: Cut anything down to its smallest pure piece, and you find atoms.
Inside the Atom
3 Subatomic Particles
-
-
-
Nucleus p⁺ & n⁰
Dense Nucleus in center + Electron Cloud zooming outside!
p⁺
Proton
Positive charge (+1) • Located in Nucleus
n⁰
Neutron
Neutral (0 charge) • Located in Nucleus
e⁻
Electron
Negative charge (-1) • Zooms in Outer Cloud
Protons define who the atom is! Change the protons = change the element!
Elements: Pure Matter
Simplest Pieces of Matter
Definition
What is an Element?
An element is a pure substance made of only ONE single kind of atom.
✨ Cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means!
Real-World Examples
Au
Gold
Only Gold atoms!
O
Oxygen
Only Oxygen atoms!
Fe
Iron
Only Iron atoms!
He
Helium
Only Helium atoms!
Currently, scientists have discovered 118 unique elements!
Reading the Periodic Table
Element Tile Passport
6 Nonmetal
C
Carbon
12.011
Atomic Number (6)
Tells you the exact number of Protons !
p⁺ = 6
Chemical Symbol (C)
1 or 2 letter abbreviation (First letter ALWAYS capitalized).
Element Name (Carbon)
The common name of this pure element.
Atomic Mass (12.011)
Average mass: Protons + Neutrons combined.
Rows = Periods • Columns = Groups / Families (share similar chemical traits)
Distinguishing Matter
How to Tell Substances Apart
Physical Properties
Characteristics you can observe or measure without changing what the substance is.
🎨 Color & Texture (Shiny, smooth, gold)
🌡️ Melting & Boiling Points (Water boils at 100°C)
🧲 Magnetism & Solubility (Does it dissolve?)
⚖️ Density: How heavy for its size!
Chemical Properties
How a substance reacts and transforms into a brand new substance.
🔥 Flammability (Ability to burn)
🧪 Reactivity with Acid (Bubbles/fizz)
🍂 Rusting / Oxidation (Iron reacting with oxygen)
🔍 Physical properties help us identify mystery substances without destroying them!
Density: How Packed?
Mass per Unit Volume
Definition
Density is a measure of how tightly matter is packed into a given space.
FORMULA
D = M ÷ V
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
Units:
Solids: g/cm³
Liquids: g/mL
Magic Density Triangle
M
D
V
Cover what you want to find:D → M ÷ V
🌊 Water's density = 1.0 g/mL. If D < 1, it floats! If D > 1, it sinks!
Guided Calculation
Step-by-Step Model
Problem:
A metal mystery block has a mass of 40 grams and a volume of 5 cm³ . What is its density?
Step 1: Identify Givens
Mass (M) = 40 g
Volume (V) = 5 cm³
Step 2: Write Formula
D = M ÷ V
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
Step 3: Solve & Label
D = 40 ÷ 5
D = 8 g/cm³
🤔 Turn & Talk: Will this block float or sink in water (density = 1.0 g/cm³)? It Sinks! (8 > 1)
Always remember your units: g/cm³ for solid cubes, g/mL for liquids!
Molecular Motion
Kinetic Molecular Theory
Big Science Truth
Particles Never Stop Moving!
All atoms and molecules are in constant motion.
🔥 Higher Temperature = More Kinetic Energy = Particles move faster & spread out!
❄️ Lower Temperature = Less Kinetic Energy = Particles move slower & hug closer!
Speed Comparison
Solid: Ice Cube Vibrates in fixed spots ⏳
Liquid: Water Cup Slides and flows smoothly 🌊
Gas: Steam Vapor Zips rapidly in all directions 💨
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. More heat = more speed!
The 4 States of Matter
Solid • Liquid • Gas • Plasma
Solid
• Definite Shape
• Definite Volume
• Tightly packed; vibrate
Liquid
• No Definite Shape
• Definite Volume
• Slide past each other
Gas
• No Definite Shape
• No Definite Volume
• Spread out; fly fast
Plasma
⊕ ⊖ ⊕ ⊖
• Superheated Gas
• Charged ions + electrons
• Stars, lightning, neon
Plasma is the most common state of matter in the universe (stars are giant plasma balls)!
States & Density: The Link
Particle Spacing = Density
Solid Phase
Highest Density
Particles are tightly packed into a small volume. Lots of mass in small space!
High Mass ÷ Low Volume = High Density
Liquid Phase
Medium Density
Particles are close together but have a little room to slip and slide around.
Medium Mass ÷ Medium Volume = Medium Density
Gas Phase
Lowest Density
Particles are spaced super far apart with huge gaps of empty space between them.
Low Mass ÷ Giant Volume = Low Density
⚡ Cool Exception: Liquid water is actually denser than solid ice! That is why icebergs float!
Energy & Phase Changes
Adding & Removing Thermal Energy
Lowest Thermal Energy ❄️ Adding Heat Energy →→→ Highest Thermal Energy ⚡
SOLID
Lowest Energy
LIQUID
Medium Energy
GAS
High Energy
PLASMA
Extreme Energy
Melting & Freezing
Solid ↔ Liquid
Vaporizing & Condensing
Liquid ↔ Gas
Ionizing & Deionizing
Gas ↔ Plasma
Key Rule: Phase changes are physical changes! The atoms stay the exact same!
Show What You Know!
Quick Fire Check
Check Questions:
1. What two things make something matter ?
2. Which subatomic particle has a positive charge ?
3. What is the formula to calculate density ?
4. Which state has the most thermal energy ?
Next Mission:
📝 Complete Guided Notes: Fill in diagrams & formulas.
🧮 Practice Density: Calculate density for mystery objects.
🎯 Exit Ticket: Prove mastery before you leave!
🚀 Great job, scientists! Ready to lock in your understanding?
Particle Power Guided Notes Particle Power
Guided Science Notes • Part 1: Atoms & Elements
Name:
Date:
Period:
1 What is Matter & Where is It?
Definition: Matter is anything that has and takes up (volume).
Mass: The amount of inside an object.
Volume: The 3D an object fills.
⚡ Check: Circle the items that ARE matter:
[ Air ] [ Sunlight ] [ Water ] [ Sound ]
2 The Atom: Nature's Building Block
-
Center p⁺ & n⁰
Atomic Model Diagram
An atom is the smallest basic unit of .
Particle Electric Charge Location in Atom Proton (p⁺) Positive ( ) Neutron (n⁰) Neutral ( ) Electron (e⁻) Negative ( ) Outer
💡 Key rule: The number of protons determines what element the atom is!
3 Elements & The Periodic Table
An element is a pure substance made of only kind of atom. It cannot be broken down further.
6
C
Carbon
12.011
A 6 = Atomic Number: Tells us number of
B C = Chemical (1 or 2 letters)
C Carbon = Element
D 12.011 = Atomic (Protons + Neutrons)
Particle Power Guided Notes Page 1 of 2
Particle Power • Guided Notes Part 2: Density & States of Matter
4 Distinguishing Matter & Density
Density is how packed matter is into a given space.
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
D = M / V • Units: g/cm³ or g/mL
🌊 Pure water has a density of 1.0 g/mL . Objects with density > 1.0 will ; objects with density < 1.0 will .
Density Triangle
M
D
V
Cover what you want to find!
5 Guided Density Calculations
Model Example
A block has mass = 40 g and volume = 5 cm³ .
Particle Power Teacher Key Particle Power
TEACHER ANSWER KEY & FACILITATION GUIDE • PART 1
Master Key
1 What is Matter & Where is It? (Answers)
Definition: Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space (volume).
Mass: The amount of matter / "stuff" inside an object.
Volume: The 3D space an object fills.
⚡ Check: Items that ARE matter:
✓ Air (Gas) Sunlight (Energy) ✓ Water (Liquid) Sound (Energy)
⚠️ Common Misconception: Students often think air is not matter because they can't see it. Remind them air in a balloon adds mass and occupies volume!
2 The Atom: Nature's Building Block (Answers)
e⁻ Electron
Nucleus p⁺ Proton
Labeled Atomic Model
An atom is the smallest basic unit of matter / elements.
Particle Electric Charge Location in Atom Proton (p⁺) Positive (+1) Nucleus (Center) Neutron (n⁰) Neutral (0) Nucleus (Center) Electron (e⁻) Negative (-1) Outer Electron Cloud
✅ Teaching Tip: Point out that opposite charges attract (+ and -), which keeps electrons in orbit!
3 Elements & Periodic Table (Answers)
An element is a pure substance made of only ONE single kind of atom. It cannot be broken down further.
6
C
Carbon
12.011
A 6 = Atomic Number: Tells us number of Protons (p⁺ = 6)
B C = Chemical Symbol (1 or 2 letters)
C Carbon = Element Name
D 12.011 = Atomic Mass / Weight (Protons + Neutrons)
Particle Power Teacher Key Page 1 of 2
Particle Power • Teacher Key Part 2: Density & States of Matter
4 Distinguishing Matter & Density (Answers)
Density is how tightly / closely packed matter is into a given space.
Density = Mass ÷ Volume
D = M / V • Units: g/cm³ (solids) or g/mL (liquids)
🌊 Pure water has a density of 1.0 g/mL . Objects with density > 1.0 will SINK; objects with density < 1.0 will FLOAT.
Particle Power Lesson Plan Particle Power
Comprehensive Lesson Plan • Grades 6–8 Physical Science
Duration: 60–75 Min
Unit: Matter & Energy
Target Standards
NGSS MS-PS1-1: Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple substances.NGSS MS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after substances interact.
Learning Targets (SWBAT)
Define matter using mass and volume criteria.
Identify the 3 subatomic particles and their charges.
Extract proton counts from a periodic table element tile.
Calculate density using \(D = \frac{m}{V}\) with proper units.
Contrast particle behavior across solids, liquids, gases, & plasma.
Materials & Preparation
🖥️ Particle Power Slides (Projector ready)
📄 Guided Notes (1 double-sided copy per student)
🎟️ Exit Tickets (Pre-cut half sheets)
Lesson Timeline & Instructional Moves
1. Hook & Phenomenon: Is Air Really There? (7 min) Slides 1–2
Hold up an empty deflated balloon vs. an inflated balloon on a simple balance scale. Prompt: "Does the air inside weigh anything?" Connect to the 2 criteria for matter: mass and volume.
2. Atoms & The Element Passport (15 min) Slides 3–6
Guide students through Slide 4's atomic model. Have students touch their chest for "Nucleus" (protons/neutrons) and wave fingers outwards for "Electron Cloud". Model decoding Carbon-6 on the Periodic Table tile.
3. Density Modeling & Worked Calculation (15 min) Slides 7–9
Introduce the Density Triangle (\(M\) on top, \(D\) and \(V\) on bottom). Walk through the 40g / 5cm³ model problem. Emphasize unit writing (\(\text{g/cm}^3\)) and compare with water's density of 1.0 g/mL.
Particle Power Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Particle Power • Lesson Plan Part 2: Kinesthetic Practice & Differentiation
4. Kinesthetic State-of-Matter Simulation (12 min) Slides 10–13
Clear a 10x10 space. Have 8 student volunteers act as particles as you call out thermal energy states:
Solid: Shoulder-to-shoulder, slight vibration.
Liquid: Arm's length, gliding past each other.
Gas: Fast walking across room, bouncing.
Plasma: High energy, electrons breaking away!
Particle Power Exit Ticket Particle Power Exit Ticket
Quick Check • Matter & Density
Name:
Period:
Score: ___ / 4
1 The 2 Rules of Matter
Matter is anything that has:
A)
B)
2 Atomic Number Decoding
An atom of Oxygen has 8 protons in its nucleus.
What is its Atomic Number ?
What charge do protons have?
3 Density Calculation Challenge
A piece of stone has a mass of 50 grams and a volume of 25 cm³ .
Formula: D =
Calculate: D = 50 ÷ 25 =
Float or Sink in water? (Circle one): FLOAT / SINK
4 States & Particle Spacing
Why are solids generally denser than gases? Explain using particle spacing:
Self Check Confidence:
😊 Got it! 😐 Almost
✂ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CUT HERE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ✂
Particle Power Exit Ticket
Quick Check • Matter & Density
Name:
Period:
Score: ___ / 4
1 The 2 Rules of Matter
Matter is anything that has:
A)
B)
2 Atomic Number Decoding
An atom of Oxygen has 8 protons in its nucleus.
What is its Atomic Number ?
What charge do protons have?
3 Density Calculation Challenge
A piece of stone has a mass of 50 grams and a volume of 25 cm³ .
Formula: D =
Calculate: D = 50 ÷ 25 =
Float or Sink in water? (Circle one): FLOAT / SINK
4 States & Particle Spacing
Why are solids generally denser than gases? Explain using particle spacing:
Self Check Confidence:
😊 Got it! 😐 Almost
