States of Matter

Have you ever noticed that the world is full of things that can change? There is something special all around us that can be many different things. Sometimes, it is hard and strong, like a colorful toy block you can hold in your hand. You can stack these hard things up, up, up to build a tall tower. Other times, this special thing is splashy and wiggly, like the water in a puddle after it rains. You can dip your fingers in it and make little waves. Splash, splash, splash! And sometimes, it is invisible, like the air you use to blow big, shiny bubbles that float away.

Long, long ago, people began to watch these amazing changes very closely. They saw that on a bright, sunny day, a hard piece of ice would start to get wet. It would drip, drip, drip until it was a little puddle of water. The hard thing turned into a splashy thing! Then, they kept watching the puddle as the sun shone down. The puddle got smaller and smaller until it was all gone. It had turned into invisible air and floated up into the sky. They learned a wonderful secret. When things get warm, they can change. When they get cold, they can change back again! It was not magic, it was just the world showing them its secrets.

Do you know what this amazing, changing thing is called? We call it the States of Matter. It’s a big name for a simple idea. The hard things, like your toys and yummy ice pops, are called solids. The splashy, flowing things, like the water you drink or the juice in your cup, are called liquids. And the invisible air that you breathe and that fills up a balloon is called a gas. Solids, liquids, and gases are everywhere, helping you build, play, and live every single day. Isn't that wonderful?