Molecules in Motion

Sixth-graders recently conducted an experiment by filling beakers with hot and cold water and observing how drops of food coloring moved through each temperature. They described the movement in relation to molecular motion and how it changes with temperature.

In this chemistry unit, students develop models to understand particle motion, the impact of temperature and kinetic energy on states of matter, and thermal energy transfer. They also explore basic atomic structure and composition, identify characteristics of chemical reactions, and learn how matter and mass are conserved during these reactions.