In science, a gas is one of the three states of matter, along with solids and liquids. Gases are all around us, and they can be found in the air we breathe, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Gases do not have a definite shape or volume, and they can expand to fill the space available to them. When heated, gases expand even more, and when cooled, they contract.
Give an example of a gas that is in the air we breathe.
What happens to gases when they are heated?
Activities:
Take a deep breath and ask the students to feel their chest expanding. Explain that this is because their lungs are filling with air, which is a mixture of gases including oxygen and nitrogen.
Set up an experiment to show the expansion and contraction of gases. Inflate a balloon and then place it in the freezer for a few minutes. Take it out and observe how it has contracted. Explain to the students that this is because the gas inside the balloon has cooled and contracted.
Watch a simple video or animation about the states of matter, emphasizing the characteristics and behavior of gases.
Observe seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset to describe the relationship between the number of hours of daylight and the time of year (e.g., more hours of daylight during summer as compared to winter).