This Year 4 states of matter unit helps pupils understand the properties of solids, liquids and gases and investigate how materials can change state when they are heated or cooled. Linked to the Year 4 Science National Curriculum, pupils explore changing states, temperature, evaporation and condensation and apply their understanding to the water cycle.
Across six lessons, pupils classify materials and investigate changes of state using familiar materials including water and chocolate. Practical scientific enquiry helps pupils make careful observations, take measurements, identify patterns and use evidence to explain what happens when materials are heated or cooled.
Pupils should be taught to:
States of Matter forms part of the Scintillating Science Year 4 scheme. Explore the Year 4 science page to see curriculum coverage, progression and the other science units available for the year.
The Year 4 states of matter programme of study introduces pupils to the properties of solids, liquids and gases and how materials can change from one state to another. Through observation and practical investigation, pupils explore the effects of heating and cooling and make connections between changes of state, temperature and the water cycle.
Pupils compare and group materials according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases. They investigate the properties of each state and use their observations to classify familiar materials, including materials that may be more difficult to categorise at first.
Year 4 pupils learn that some materials change state when heated or cooled. They explore processes including melting and freezing and investigate the temperatures at which changes take place. Using familiar materials such as water and chocolate helps pupils connect these scientific processes with changes they can observe in everyday life.
Pupils explore evaporation and condensation as changes of state involving liquid water and water vapour. They investigate how temperature affects evaporation and develop their understanding that a higher temperature can increase the rate at which water evaporates.
Learning about changing states helps pupils understand the water cycle. They identify the role of evaporation and condensation and apply their knowledge of temperature and changes of state to explain how water moves through the cycle.
Practical Year 4 states of matter investigations give pupils opportunities to observe changes, measure temperature, compare results and identify patterns. Pupils develop their working scientifically skills while using evidence from their investigations to explain what happens to materials when conditions change.
This Year 4 states of matter unit includes six sequenced science lessons, with resources to support teaching, scientific enquiry and assessment:
See how this unit fits into the wider curriculum and explore Year 4 science planning and resources, or browse our primary science scheme of work for Reception to Year 6.
