Virginia SOL 5.7

5.7 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• 5.7.a

  matter is composed of atoms

• 5.7.b

  substances can be mixed together without changes in their physical properties

• 5.7.c

  energy has an effect on the phases of matter.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use simple particle models to show that solids, liquids, and gases are built from atoms. They observe mixtures and track each material's traits before and after mixing. They predict melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation as energy enters or leaves matter.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can use dots or circles to model atoms in a solid, liquid, or gas. Given gravel mixed with paper clips, the student identifies each material's properties and separates them. The student predicts how heating or cooling water changes its phase.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think atoms exist only in gases or cannot make up objects they can see. They may assume every mixture forms a new substance, especially when one material dissolves. They may treat melting as destruction or say cold enters matter rather than energy leaving it.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Draw particle models of ice before and after melting, name the energy change, and explain why mixed beads and paper clips remain separate substances.

1. 01

   Mix paper clips, gravel, and foam pieces, then separate them with a magnet, sieve, and water while recording unchanged properties.

2. 02

   Have students write: How can a wooden desk and the air above it both be made of atoms?

3. 03

   Play a particle-card sort where teams match solid, liquid, and gas diagrams with melting, freezing, evaporation, or condensation scenarios.

4. 04

   Compare ice cubes, liquid water, and droplets on a cold cup to trace energy transfer during everyday phase changes.

• 1.3

  The student will investigate and understand that objects are made from materials that can be described by their physical properties. Key ideas include

• PS.2

  The student will investigate and understand that matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include

• PS.3

  The student will investigate and understand that matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes. Key ideas include

• 2.3

  The student will investigate and understand that matter can exist in different phases. Key ideas include