Definitions:
Solid-has definite mass and definite volume, has a definite shape, atoms are close together and do not move about easily .
Liquid-has definite mass and definite volume, has no definite shape, atoms tend to move farther apart.
Gas-has definite mass, but no definite volume and no definite shape, atoms are quite far apart and tend to move around easily.
Matter-any substance that has mass and takes up space.
Density-mass of an object divided by is volume.
Example: 509 words
Jaslyn was angry. How could Jamal treat her like that? And to go out with Resha, her now
ex-best friend? Oh, the two of them would pay, and pay big time. She sat at her desk all through
science and thought about what she could do to get revenge on those cheaters. They thought they
were so slick, going behind her back and seeing each other. Well, if she had her way, they'd never see
each other again!
Jaslyn perked up when she heard her science teacher talk about matter. The teacher told them
that everything that had mass and takes up space is called matter. She went on to explain that matter
had several properties. Jaslyn listened closely. Perhaps here was something she could use in her
revenge!
Her science teacher had the students prepare for lab. They were going to measure properties of
several substances. They had to differentiate between solids, liquids, and gases. Jaslyn knew what she
would do! When Jamal and Resha got their test tubes, they'd be in for a big surprise! Secretly, she
put some ammonium chloride crystals in the test tube at their lab station. They were almost
transparent, having no color. These crystals were solid, because they had a definite shape. But if
mixed with a liquid, like hydrochloric acid, which did not have a definite shape, they'd produce a gas.
This gas, having no definite shape or volume, would rise into the air and spread around Jamal and
Resha. This would happen because the density, or mass of the substance divided by its volume, was
less than that of air. When it surrounded them, they'd get sick. That would teach them to hurt her!
Jaslyn waited for the experiment to begin. She grinned as she saw Jamal hand Resha the test tube.
She smiled when Resha poured the hydrochloric acid into the tube. But then, something went wrong.
Instead of a gas forming, the tube's contents started to bubble and foam. Resha screamed and
dropped the test tube onto the desk. Jamal rushed to help her before it hurt her. But no! The
contents didn't hurt either of them. A golden liquid started to pour out onto their lab station.
When it hit the cooler air, it froze to form a solid. There, on the desk, was a solid gold chain,
beautifully made. Jamal picked it up. "For you," he said as he handed it lovingly to Resha, who
smiled back at him as he snapped it on her wrist.
"No! That's not fair!" Jaslyn screamed. "That's not what was supposed to happen! There was
supposed to be a poisonous gas to get rid of you two cheaters!" Unfortunately for Jaslyn, the
science teacher heard her and told her to get her books and march right to the office for trying
to poison such sweet innocent students like Resha and Jamal. Angrily, she looked back at them as
she left the room. "Oh well," she thought to herself, "I guess that's what I get for doing a science
experiment without permission!"