Matter and Materials: Glossary
154 words, listed in the order you meet them in Courseversity lessons.
Full explanations
Condensation
ScienceFull explanation
Condensation is when a gas cools and changes into a liquid. In the water cycle, water vapour cools and turns into tiny drops of liquid water.
Evaporation
ScienceFull explanation
Evaporation is when a liquid changes into a gas. In the water cycle, liquid water changes into water vapour, an invisible gas in the air.
All words in this topic
Grade 1
material
From Grade 1
what an object is made of
Learn it in: What are materials (Grade 1), Solid materials (Grade 2), Transparent and opaque materials (Grade 2)
property
From Grade 1
what a material is like, such as hard or soft
Learn it in: What are materials (Grade 1), Comparing objects (Grade 2), Properties of solids (Grade 2)
natural
From Grade 1
found in nature
Learn it in: Common materials (Grade 1), Natural light sources (Grade 1), What is the environment (Grade 1)
magnet
From Grade 1
an object that pulls some metals towards it
Learn it in: Metal (Grade 1), Magnetic forces (Grade 3), Magnets (Grade 6)
metal
From Grade 1
a hard, shiny material from rocks
Learn it in: Metal (Grade 1), Conductors and insulators (Grade 4)
rust
From Grade 1
a brown coating that forms on iron when it gets wet
Learn it in: Metal (Grade 1), Everyday material changes (Grade 4)
strong
From Grade 1
not easy to break
Learn it in: Metal (Grade 1), Properties of solids (Grade 2), Materials and structures (Grade 3)
recycle
From Grade 1
to make something new from old materials
Learn it in: Plastic (Grade 1), Proper waste disposal (Grade 1), Environmental cleanliness (Grade 2)
waterproof
From Grade 1
not letting water through
Learn it in: Plastic (Grade 1), Choosing materials for different purposes (Grade 1), Solid materials (Grade 2)
transparent
From Grade 1
able to be seen through
Learn it in: Glass (Grade 1), Transparent and opaque materials (Grade 2), Material properties (Grade 3)
cushion
From Grade 1
a soft pillow for sitting or leaning on
Learn it in: Hard and soft materials (Grade 1)
hard
From Grade 1
difficult to press or bend
Learn it in: Hard and soft materials (Grade 1), Solid materials (Grade 2)
soft
From Grade 1
easy to press or squeeze
Learn it in: Hard and soft materials (Grade 1), Loud and soft sounds (Grade 1)
sandpaper
From Grade 1
paper with rough grains used to smooth wood
Learn it in: Rough and smooth materials (Grade 1)
smooth
From Grade 1
even, with no bumps
Learn it in: Rough and smooth materials (Grade 1), Friction (Grade 2), Friction (Grade 3)
texture
From Grade 1
how a surface feels
Learn it in: Rough and smooth materials (Grade 1), Comparing objects (Grade 2), Properties of solids (Grade 2)
purpose
From Grade 1
what something is for
Learn it in: Choosing materials for different purposes (Grade 1)
suitable
From Grade 1
right for the job
Learn it in: Choosing materials for different purposes (Grade 1)
test
From Grade 1
a way to find out
Learn it in: Choosing materials for different purposes (Grade 1), Solving community problems (Grade 2), Testing designs (Grade 3)
Grade 2
gas
From Grade 2
matter that spreads out, such as air
Learn it in: What is matter? (Grade 2), Gases (Grade 3), Solids, liquids, and gases (Grade 5)
liquid
From Grade 2
matter that flows and takes the shape of its container
Learn it in: What is matter? (Grade 2), Liquids (Grade 3), Melting (Grade 4)
matter
From Grade 2
anything that takes up space and has mass
Learn it in: What is matter? (Grade 2), Matter (Grade 3), Matter and mass (Grade 5)
solid
From Grade 2
matter that keeps its own shape
Learn it in: What is matter? (Grade 2), Solids (Grade 3), Melting (Grade 4)
flexible
From Grade 2
able to bend without breaking
Learn it in: Solid materials (Grade 2), Material properties (Grade 3), Properties of materials (Grade 4)
flow
From Grade 2
to move easily in a stream
Learn it in: Liquid materials (Grade 2), Liquids (Grade 3), Liquids (Grade 6)
clear
From Grade 2
easy to see through
Learn it in: Properties of liquids (Grade 2), Transparent materials (Grade 4)
dissolve
From Grade 2
to mix into a liquid so it cannot be seen
Learn it in: Properties of liquids (Grade 2), Dissolving (Grade 4)
mix
From Grade 2
to put together
Learn it in: Properties of liquids (Grade 2), Science in cooking (Grade 2)
container
From Grade 2
something that holds a material
Learn it in: Comparing solids and liquids (Grade 2), Liquids (Grade 3)
pour
From Grade 2
to make a liquid flow out
Learn it in: Comparing solids and liquids (Grade 2), Everyday uses of solids and liquids (Grade 2)
bend
From Grade 2
to curve something without breaking
Learn it in: Changing the shape of materials (Grade 2)
stretch
From Grade 2
to make longer by pulling
Learn it in: Changing the shape of materials (Grade 2), Measuring simple effects of forces (Grade 3)
reversible
From Grade 2
can change back
Learn it in: Melting (Grade 2), Melting and freezing (Grade 3), Reversible changes (Grade 4)
temperature
From Grade 2
how hot or cold something is
Learn it in: Melting (Grade 2), Temperature (Grade 2), Heating and cooling (Grade 3)
expand
From Grade 2
to take up more space
Learn it in: Freezing (Grade 2), Gases (Grade 3), Freezing (Grade 4)
design
From Grade 2
to plan how something will be made
Learn it in: Everyday uses of solids and liquids (Grade 2), Simple design project (Grade 2), The engineering design process (Grade 5)
store
From Grade 2
to keep for later
Learn it in: Everyday uses of solids and liquids (Grade 2), Plant food production (Grade 5)
oxygen
From Grade 2
the gas in air that living things need
Learn it in: What is air? (Grade 2), The lungs (Grade 3)
space
From Grade 2
the room that something takes up
Learn it in: Evidence that air occupies space (Grade 2), Matter (Grade 3), Habitat relationships (Grade 3)
wind vane
From Grade 2
a tool that shows wind direction
Learn it in: Wind (Grade 2), Weather instruments (Grade 2), Wind direction (Grade 3)
absorb
From Grade 2
to soak up a liquid
Learn it in: Properties of water (Grade 2), Root functions (Grade 3), Opaque materials (Grade 4)
float
From Grade 2
to stay on top of water
Learn it in: Properties of water (Grade 2), Science in transportation (Grade 2)
transport
From Grade 2
moving people or goods
Learn it in: Uses of water (Grade 2), Science in transportation (Grade 2), Stem functions (Grade 3)
reservoir
From Grade 2
a store of water
Learn it in: Water sources (Grade 2), Water distribution (Grade 5)
conserve
From Grade 2
to save and use carefully
Learn it in: Water conservation (Grade 2), Energy conservation (Grade 2)
Grade 3
mass
From Grade 3
how much matter something has
Learn it in: Matter (Grade 3), Gravity (Grade 3), Matter and mass (Grade 5)
particle
From Grade 3
a tiny piece of matter
Learn it in: Matter (Grade 3), Comparing states of matter (Grade 3), Sound travelling through materials (Grade 4)
compress
From Grade 3
to squeeze into a smaller space
Learn it in: Gases (Grade 3), Solids, liquids, and gases (Grade 4), Solids, liquids, and gases (Grade 5)
freezing
From Grade 3
changing from liquid to solid
Learn it in: Melting and freezing (Grade 3), Freezing (Grade 4)
melting
From Grade 3
changing from solid to liquid
Learn it in: Melting and freezing (Grade 3), Melting (Grade 4), Changes of state (Grade 6)
melting point
From Grade 3
the temperature at which a solid melts
Learn it in: Melting and freezing (Grade 3), Melting (Grade 4)
evaporation
From Grade 3
a liquid changing into a gas
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Evaporation (Grade 3), Evaporation (Grade 4), Evaporation and separation (Grade 5)
surface area
From Grade 3
the size of the exposed surface
Learn it in: Evaporation (Grade 3), Evaporation (Grade 4), Dissolving (Grade 5)
water vapour
From Grade 3
water as an invisible gas
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Evaporation (Grade 3), Evaporation (Grade 4), Evaporation and condensation (Grade 5)
durable
From Grade 3
lasting a long time
Learn it in: Material selection (Grade 3), Properties of materials (Grade 4), Selecting materials (Grade 5)
sustainable
From Grade 3
able to continue without harming nature
Learn it in: Material selection (Grade 3), Ecosystem protection (Grade 3), Human impacts (Grade 4)
Grade 4
heat
From Grade 4
energy that moves because of temperature difference
Learn it in: Heating and cooling (Grade 4), Heat energy (Grade 5)
condensation
From Grade 4
a gas changing to a liquid
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Condensation (Grade 4), Changes of state (Grade 6)
dew
From Grade 4
tiny water drops formed on cool surfaces at night
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Condensation (Grade 4)
chemical change
From Grade 4
a change that makes new substances
Learn it in: Reversible changes (Grade 4), Physical and chemical changes introduction (Grade 6)
physical change
From Grade 4
a change in form, not makeup
Learn it in: Reversible changes (Grade 4), Physical and chemical changes introduction (Grade 6)
Grade 5
diffusion
From Grade 5
spreading of particles from high to low concentration
Learn it in: Particle model introduction (Grade 5), Cell functions (Grade 6), Particle movement (Grade 6)
mixture
From Grade 5
two or more substances mixed but not joined
Learn it in: Mixtures (Grade 5), Mixtures (Grade 6), Matter review (Grade 6)
filtration
From Grade 5
separating solids from liquids using a filter
Learn it in: Filtration (Grade 5), Separation methods (Grade 6)
chromatography
From Grade 5
separating coloured substances on paper
Learn it in: Evaporation and separation (Grade 5)
distillation
From Grade 5
evaporating a liquid and condensing it to collect it
Learn it in: Evaporation and separation (Grade 5), Separation methods (Grade 6)
chemical reaction
From Grade 5
a change that makes new substances
Learn it in: Reversible and irreversible changes (Grade 5)
irreversible change
From Grade 5
a change that cannot be undone
Learn it in: Reversible and irreversible changes (Grade 5)
reversible change
From Grade 5
a change that can be undone
Learn it in: Reversible and irreversible changes (Grade 5)
Grade 6
Brownian motion
From Grade 6
random jiggling of tiny visible bits caused by particle hits
Learn it in: Particle movement (Grade 6)
decanting
From Grade 6
pouring off a liquid from a settled solid
Learn it in: Separation methods (Grade 6)
product
From Grade 6
a new substance made in a reaction
Learn it in: Physical and chemical changes introduction (Grade 6)
reactant
From Grade 6
a substance that reacts
Learn it in: Physical and chemical changes introduction (Grade 6)