Matter and Materials
In this strand, the study of matter in science is integrated with the
use of materials in technology. In studying matter, students develop an
understanding of the properties of substances, which will serve as a foundation
for future theoretical studies in science. In designing and making useful
objects, students apply their knowledge of the properties of the materials they
are using, as well as knowledge of aesthetic and ergonomic principles in the
area of technological design.
The topics covered in this strand are:
Grade 1: Characteristics of Objects and Properties of Materials
Grade 2: Properties of Liquids and Solids
Grade 3: Magnetic and Charged
Materials
Grade 4: Materials That Transmit, Reflect, or Absorb Light or
Sound
Grade 5: Properties of and Changes in Matter
Grade 6: Properties
of Air and Characteristics of Flight
Grade 7: Pure Substances and Mixtures
Grade 8: Fluids
In their investigations, students manipulate and observe materials and
test them for their properties, and experiment with possible uses of these
materials. At first, students report on their findings in qualitative terms,
but as they learn to use mathematics, they will be able to express many of
their observations in quantitative terms appropriate for their grade. Students
also learn to see connections between science and technology and the broader
social and economic context – for example, they learn that decisions to
make specific products may be based on such factors as economics, environmental
and waste considerations, and consumer values and demands.
In all grades, students develop the ability to use language to
communicate clearly and to use science and technology terminology
appropriately. Many of the terms used in the study of matter and materials are
ordinary words, so students will need to learn their specialized meanings.
It is important that students follow established safety practices in
all investigations. These practices include:
- following correct procedures when joining and shaping a variety of
materials (e.g., always cutting materials away from oneself; firmly holding
materials in place; avoiding the application of great force when using a tool
as it can lead to loss of control of the tool or material; using scissors to
cut masking tape; using a hand drill to make holes in wood; using a paper punch
to make holes in paper);
- using tools, materials, and equipment safely (e.g., hacksaw,
scissors, hot plate, glue gun, rasp);
- keeping utensils and their work area clean;
- returning materials, tools, utensils, and equipment to their proper places;
- demonstrating concern for one’s own safety and the safety of
others (e.g., keeping sharp ends of objects such as needles and pins pointed
away from oneself and others; tying back long hair and loose garments before
approaching a heat source; never leaving a heat source unattended; using pot
holders when handling hot utensils or pots; wearing safety goggles; reporting
any damage to tools or equipment immediately);
- exercising caution when using the senses to explore substances
(e.g., when handling toxic substances).
Matter and Materials: Grade 1
– Characteristics of Objects and Properties of Materials
Overview
In Grade 1, students are introduced to the concept of materials
through exploration of various objects in their immediate surroundings.
Students will use their senses to identify various materials and objects. In
doing this, they will learn to make a clear distinction between objects and
materials: they will learn that objects are made from materials and that
materials have specific properties. They will also learn to describe these
properties clearly and precisely. By making objects out of various materials,
they will begin to understand that there is a connection between the properties
of materials and the specific purposes for which the materials are used.
Overall Expectations
Matter and Materials: Grade 7 – Pure Substances and Mixtures
Overview
By exploring the distinction between pure substances (e.g., copper,
sugar) and mechanical mixtures and solutions, students will come to recognize
that most matter is either a solution or a mechanical mixture – including
most foods and drinks, many medicines, cosmetics, building materials, cleaning
agents, and so on. Through experiments, students will learn to distinguish
between mixtures and solutions, discover many of their characteristics, and
come to understand their uses and importance in daily life. Introduction of a
scientific model (the particle theory) used to describe the particulate nature
of matter will provide a conceptual basis for students’ learning in this
area.
Overall Expectations
By the end of Grade 7, students will:
- demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of mechanical
mixtures (heterogeneous) and solutions (homogeneous) and describe these
characteristics using a scientific model (the particle theory);
- investigate properties of different kinds of mechanical mixtures
and solutions that make them useful in manufacturing products for particular
purposes;
- identify human uses of mixtures and solutions in everyday life,
and evaluate the environmental impact of some of these uses.
Specific Expectations |
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Understanding Basic Concepts
By the end of Grade 7, students will:
- distinguish between mechanical mixtures and solutions;
- describe the concentration of a solution in qualitative terms
(e.g., dilute, concentrated) and in quantitative terms (e.g., grams of solute
per 100 mL);
- recognize that, according to the particle theory, particles
have an attraction for each other and that the attraction between the particles
of solute and solvent keeps them in solution;
- distinguish between pure substances and mixtures using the
particle theory (e.g., pure substances have identical particles whereas
mixtures have different particles);
- identify factors that affect solubility and the rate at which
substances dissolve (e.g., temperature, type of solute or solvent, particle
size, stirring);
- describe, through observation, the difference between
saturated and unsaturated solutions;
- identify solutes and solvents in various kinds of solutions
(e.g., gold and copper in gold rings; iodine and alcohol in iodine solutions;
oxygen and nitrogen in air).
Developing Skills of Inquiry, Design, and Communication
By the end of Grade 7, students will:
- formulate questions about and identify needs and problems
related to the characteristics of mixtures and solutions, and explore possible
answers and ways of meeting these needs (e.g., design a fair test to determine
the amount of solute required to form a saturated solution with a fixed amount
of solvent whose temperature is varied);
- plan investigations for some of these answers and solutions,
identifying variables that need to be held constant to ensure a fair test and
identifying criteria for assessing solutions;
- use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and
technology terminology, to communicate ideas, procedures, and results (e.g.,
define the terms mixture, mechanical mixture, solution, solute, solvent,
mass concentration, dissolve, soluble, insoluble, saturated, supersaturated,
unsaturated, dilute);
- compile qualitative and quantitative data gathered through
investigation in order to record and present results, using diagrams, flow
charts, frequency tables, bar graphs, line graphs, and stem-and-leaf plots
produced by hand or with a computer (e.g., use a database to record and display
results showing the amount of solute used in given amounts of solvent);
- communicate the procedures and results of investigations for
specific purposes and to specific audiences, using media works, written notes
and descriptions, charts, graphs, drawings, and oral presentations (e.g., use
drawings to illustrate the process of manufacturing a product from the
collecting of raw materials to the end use of the product and its
disposal);
- follow safe work procedures (e.g., wash hands after handling
chemicals; seal containers of unused chemicals promptly after use; recognize
and take note of WHMIS warning symbols) and use appropriate tools, materials,
and equipment.
Relating Science and Technology to the World Outside the School
By the end of Grade 7, students will:
- identify solutions that exist as solids (e.g., alloys such as
bronze, brass, gold rings, solder, sterling silver), liquids (e.g., soda pop,
nail polish remover), and gases (e.g., air);
- differentiate between raw materials (e.g., wood, coal,
natural gas) and processed materials (e.g., plastic, glass, ceramic);
- describe how raw materials are collected and processed to
produce different materials (e.g., how iron and coal become steel; how sand,
soda ash, and limestone become glass);
- demonstrate different methods of separating the components of
mixtures (e.g., evaporation, sifting, filtration, distillation, magnetism) and
describe some industrial applications of these methods (e.g., use of
evaporation in the production of maple syrup; use of different sizes of sieves
to separate wheat grains in the production of white bread; use of filtration in
water purification; use of fractional distillation in refining crude oil; use
of magnets in scrap metal yards);
- identify a variety of manufactured products made from
mixtures or solutions and explain their functions (e.g., medicines, cleaning
solutions, salad dressings);
- identify the sources and characteristics of pollutants that
result from manufacturing and agricultural systems;
- describe the effects of some solvents on the environment, and
identify regulations that are in place to ensure their safe use and
disposal;
- demonstrate the use of water as a solvent and as a chemical
reactant;
- evaluate and compare the quality of water from different
sources by performing simple tests (e.g., for pH, salinity, hardness,
temperature, turbidity), and assess whether human use of the environment
affected the quality of the water;
- identify different types of waste present in the community
(e.g., water, sewage, trash, toxic materials) and the environmental
considerations related to their disposal;
- describe practices that ensure their safety and that of
others (e.g., read labels on containers of chemical substances to determine
whether they are poisonous, flammable, explosive, or corrosive; apply knowledge
of WHMIS standards).
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