Mass, Space, and You
Prove matter has mass and occupies space
Setting up the bench…
What this lesson covers
Why it matters
You can weigh a cricket ball and pour a glass of water, but you can't bottle sunlight or hold a sound in your hand. Matter is the 'stuff' — it has mass and takes up space.
Predict first
What two things must something have to count as matter?
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space — solid, liquid or gas. Forms of energy like light, heat and sound are not matter.
- Mass, and it takes up space (volume) — correct
- A colour and a smell
- Life and movement
What you do
Sort each one: is it matter (has mass, takes up space), or not?
Check yourself
Why is air (a gas) still matter?
Air has mass and fills space, so it is matter even though it is invisible.
Which of these is NOT matter?
Heat is a form of energy — no mass and no volume.
- It has mass and takes up space — correct
- Because we cannot see it
- Because it is very light
- Heat — correct
- Water vapour
- Dust