KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Solid, liquid, and gas states and changes of state, where they explored how particles behave in different states and respond to heating and cooling. It deepens their understanding by examining energy transfer, thermal equilibrium, and the role of insulators. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Particle explanations of density and pressure, where they will apply their knowledge of particle behaviour to explore how density and pressure are influenced by particle arrangement and movement.

1. Measuring temperature
2. Changing temperature
3. Mixing substances of different temperatures
4. Cooling
5. Thermal conductors
6. Thermal insulators
7. Energy and temperature
8. Energy and substance

• Almost everything is made of particles.
• Solids have a fixed shape, cannot usually be squashed and do not flow.
• Liquids usually cannot be squashed, they flow and will take the shape of the container they are in.
• Gases can be squashed, they flow and will fill the container they are in.
• In a solid, particles are very close together, have a regular arrangement, are vibrating and are bonded together.
• In a liquid, particles are close together, they do not have a regular arrangement and can move over each other, they are loosely bonded together.
• In a gas, particles are spaced apart and move quickly in straight lines, bouncing off other particles or the walls of their container.
• Between particles there is empty space.