Quick answer: The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas. This grade 6 science lab on states of matter gives the aim, the equipment, the safety points, a step-by-step method, sample results and 7 analysis questions; the answers are on a separate page and the lab sheet is a free printable PDF.
Can you squeeze air and water into a smaller volume? In this lab you push the plungers of two sealed syringes and compare what happens. You then use the results to explain the difference between a gas and a liquid, with measurements.
Level: Grade 6 science (Year 7 · Class 6) · Curriculum: MS-PS1-4
Aim
To compare how much a fixed volume of air and a fixed volume of water can be squeezed in a sealed syringe.
Equipment
- 2 plastic syringes, 50 mL, without needles
- 2 rubber caps or blu-tack to seal the tips
- Tap water and a small beaker
- Paper towel
Safety
Use syringes without needles only. Do not push so hard that the cap shoots off; point the tip away from faces. Wipe up spilled water so nobody slips.
Method
- Pull the plunger of syringe A to the 40 mL mark so it holds 40 mL of air. Seal the tip.
- Fill syringe B with water, remove air bubbles and adjust it to 40 mL. Seal the tip.
- Push the plunger of A as far as it will go and read the volume on the scale. Record it.
- Do the same with B.
- Release, reset both syringes to 40 mL and repeat for three trials.
Results
Sample measurements from one group:
| Trial | Air start (mL) | Air end (mL) | Water start (mL) | Water end (mL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 | 16 | 40 | 40 |
| 2 | 40 | 14 | 40 | 40 |
| 3 | 40 | 15 | 40 | 40 |
Analysis questions
Question 1 Mean air volume
Calculate the mean final volume of the air.Question 2 Percentage decrease
Calculate the percentage decrease in the volume of air.Question 3 Explain the water result
Explain why the water volume did not change, using the particle picture.Question 4 Reading uncertainty
The scale has divisions of 1 mL. State the reading uncertainty and give the range of the air results.Question 5 Predict a new start volume
Predict the final volume for a syringe that starts with 60 mL of air, if it is squeezed by the same fraction.Question 6 Source of error
Suggest two reasons why the air result might be too high.Question 7 Improve the lab
Suggest one improvement that would give more reliable results.
