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This interactive demonstration reintroduces learners to three states of matter (solid, liquid, gas), and introduces them to a fourth state of matter, plasma. This activity also explores the importance of plasma in understanding the Sun. This is one of 5 activities associated with the NASA mission IBEX, the Interstellar Boundary Explorer, which is making a map of the Solar System's boundary. If you need an audio version of this material, the file is compatible with screen reading software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Under 5 minutes
- 5 to 10 minutes
- Over $20 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Demonstration, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- 1 beaker or other clear glass container with a large rock inside
- 1 beaker or other clear glass container filled with ice
- 1 beaker or other clear glass container filled with water
- 1 beaker or other clear glass container with lid filled with air
- 1 additional empty beaker or clear container
- 1 empty container of different shape than the container holding the water
- plasma ball
- image of the Sun with text PLASMA
- liquid spray smoke (optional)
- magnet
- cart or table
Subjects
-
Earth and Space Science
-
Astronomy
- Probes, Satellites and Spacecraft
-
Solar System
- The Sun
-
Astronomy
-
Physical Sciences
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
- Heat and Temperature
-
States of Matter
- Solids
- Liquids
- Gases
- Changes of Phase
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Atomic Structure
- Elements and Periodic Table
- Volume and Density
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- hear
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, NASA,
Funding Source:
- NASA