What Is Matter? Defining Mass and Volume

Next Generation Science

This engaging educational video provides a clear and age-appropriate introduction to the concept of matter for elementary students. It begins by answering the fundamental question "What is matter?" by connecting it to everyday sensory experiences—things we can see, touch, smell, and taste. The narration guides students through identifying common examples of matter, from toys and water to the air we breathe and even pets, making abstract concepts concrete and relatable. The video delves into the specific scientific properties that define matter: mass and volume. Through clear visual demonstrations, such as a balance scale comparing two different balls and water being poured into a glass, students learn that mass is the amount of "stuff" in an object and volume is the space it takes up. Uniquely, the video also explicitly teaches what is *not* matter—illustrating concepts like rainbows, light, sound, thoughts, and feelings—helping students distinguish between physical substances and abstract phenomena. Teachers can use this video as a foundational hook for a unit on physical science. It serves as an excellent tool for sparking classroom discussions about the physical world and setting the stage for hands-on activities involving weighing objects or measuring liquids. The clear definitions and contrasting examples (matter vs. non-matter) provide a solid framework for addressing common student misconceptions about air, light, and emotions in the context of science.