Particulate Nature of Matter: common misconceptions

If your child says… “One visible dust speck is one constituent particle.”

Ask together

If this tiny drop contains countless particles, could a visible speck also contain many?

What’s true

Even a dust speck contains many constituent particles, although both are called particles.

If your child says… “The sugar has vanished.”

Ask together

What makes the clear water taste sweet?

What’s true

The sugar remains, spread among the water particles.

If your child says… “Colour spreads only when someone stirs.”

Ask together

What could spread the colour when no spoon moves?

What’s true

Water particles move even when nobody stirs the water.

If your child says… “The particles push each other apart.”

Ask together

Would pushing the particles apart help hold the chalk together?

What’s true

Attraction depends on the substance and becomes weaker as its particles move farther apart.

If your child says… “A lower water level means less water.”

Ask together

If we pour it all back, where should the level reach?

What’s true

The same water can stand at different heights in differently shaped containers.

If your child says… “Pushing makes each air particle smaller.”

Ask together

Could the same particles fit closer together without becoming smaller?

What’s true

Compression brings particles closer without shrinking them, and the gaps themselves contain no air.

If your child says… “Adding heat must make the melting ice hotter.”

Ask together

Along the flat section, which increases: energy supplied or temperature?

What’s true

During melting, pure ice takes in energy while staying at its melting point.

If your child says… “Water becomes vapour only when it boils.”

Ask together

Does spilled water need to boil before the floor dries?

What’s true

Water can evaporate at room temperature without forming bubbles inside the liquid.