Properties of Matter Grade 5 Lesson with Experiments - Free Printable

Solution to the Worksheet: "What is Matter?"

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#### Understanding the Concept of Matter
Matter is defined as anything that:
- Takes up space (has volume)
- Has mass (weight)

This includes physical objects, whether living or non-living. Things like thoughts, feelings, sounds, or ideas are not matter because they don’t have mass or take up physical space.

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Part 1: Identify Forms of Matter

We need to determine which items are forms of matter (put a ✓) and which are not (put an X).

| Item | Is it Matter? | Reason |
|------|---------------|--------|
| ✔ my winter coat | ✓ | It’s a physical object with mass and volume. |
| ✘ music from the car radio | X | Sound waves are energy, not matter. They don’t have mass or occupy space in the same way. |
| ✔ a glass of milk | ✓ | Milk is a liquid with mass and volume. |
| ✔ a chocolate bar | ✓ | Solid food with mass and volume. |
| ✘ a story read by my teacher | X | A story is information or words—it's not physical. |
| ✔ my science notebook | ✓ | A physical book with mass and volume. |
| ✔ trees in the park | ✓ | Living things made of matter (cells, water, etc.). |
| ✘ friendship | X | An emotion or relationship—intangible, no mass or volume. |
| ✔ roast turkey dinner | ✓ | Food made of physical materials with mass and volume. |
| ✔ oranges and bananas | ✓ | Fruits—solid objects with mass and volume. |
| ✘ a whisper | X | Sound waves again—energy, not matter. |
| ✔ mud pies | ✓ | Made of dirt, water, etc.—physical substance with mass and volume. |

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Part 2: Write Examples of Matter

Now, list things that are matter from your classroom and home.

> Note: These answers are examples—students can write any real-world objects.

#### Ideas From My Classroom
1. Desk
2. Pencil
3. Book
4. Chair
5. Whiteboard
6. Eraser

#### Ideas From My Home
1. Couch
2. Lamp
3. Spoon
4. Water bottle
5. Dog (if you have one)
6. TV

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✔ Final Answer Summary

#### Part 1: Checkmarks and Xs
- ✔ my winter coat
- ✘ music from the car radio
- ✔ a glass of milk
- ✔ a chocolate bar
- ✘ a story read by my teacher
- ✔ my science notebook
- ✔ trees in the park
- ✘ friendship
- ✔ roast turkey dinner
- ✔ oranges and bananas
- ✘ a whisper
- ✔ mud pies

#### Part 2: Examples of Matter
Classroom: desk, pencil, book, chair, whiteboard, eraser
Home: couch, lamp, spoon, water bottle, dog, TV

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This worksheet helps students understand that only physical substances that take up space and have weight are considered matter. Abstract concepts like sound, emotions, or stories are not matter—even though we experience them.