the mass per cubic metre (m³) or cubic centimetre (cm³) of a material

the unit for density when mass is measured in kilograms (kg) and volume in cubic metres (m³), written as kg/m³

the unit for density when mass is measured in grams (g) and volume in cubic centimetres (cm³), written as g/cm³

a device used to measure length precisely

a device used to measure length to a very high precision

Calculating density and measuring volume

Combined science

Measuring density

Pressure in a fluid

Upthrust

Explaining convection

Changes of pressure

In the Energy of moving particles unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how the movement and nature of different particles transfers energy by conduction, and how specific heat capacity and specific latent heat quantify the effect of heating on the properties of a material.

In the Heating and cooling unit, pupils learnt how the motion of particles in solids, liquids and gases changes when they are heated, how thermal conduction and insulation work and why heating different materials doesn’t always increase their temperatures by the same amount. 

This unit defines density and explores how it varies between states of matter based on atomic arrangement. It covers mass conservation during physical changes, gas behaviour, fluid pressure, buoyancy, and atmospheric pressure, and calculations involving density, mass, and volume relationships.

Particle explanations of density and pressure

The mass per cubic metre (m³) or cubic centimetre (cm³) of a material.

A can with a spout used to measure the volume of a submerged object.

A device used to measure length precisely.

A device to measure length to very high precision.

the building block of matter; even small pieces of matter have trillions of atoms

a term used to describe atoms or molecules which make up matter

a liquid or a gas; fluids can flow as the particles can move around each other

caused by a force acting over an area on a surface; it can be calculated using: pressure = force ÷ area

produced by the forces from particles within a fluid acting on each other or on a surface

a force acting upwards on an object in a liquid due to pressure differences between the top and bottom surface

the mass per unit volume of a substance; a less dense substance will float on top of a more dense one

The mass per unit volume of a substance; a less dense substance will float on top of a more dense one.

The term used for a gas or liquid because these can flow as their particles can move around.

Describes the movement of particles in a fluid that travels at a range of speeds in all directions.

The movement of fluids caused by differences in density within the fluid, which allows energy to be transferred as the hotter fluid rises to cooler areas.

a scientific model using the idea of moving particles to explain the behaviour of matter

Particle explanations of density and pressure

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