What students learn in AC9S3U04
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how adding or removing heat energy leads to a change of state.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- observing the properties of substances and classifying them as solids (that hold their shape) or liquids (that fill the bottom of containers) investigating ice melting or water freezing in a sealed bag and explaining their observations
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how adding or removing heat energy leads to a change of state
- E1: observing the properties of substances and classifying them as solids (that hold their shape) or liquids (that fill the bottom of containers)
- E2: investigating ice melting or water freezing in a sealed bag and explaining their observations
- E3: using ice cubes, butter or chocolate to explore how changes of state involve the removal of heat or the addition of heat
- E4: investigating how changes of state in materials used by First Nations Australians such as beeswax or resins are important for their use (teaching context)
- E5: exploring how changes from solid to liquid and liquid to solid can help us recycle materials such as glass or plastics
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9S3U04 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Describing what is seen without connecting it to a question, pattern or prediction.
- Using everyday words only and missing simple scientific vocabulary.
- Changing more than one thing in an investigation, which makes the comparison unfair.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9S3U04 — investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how adding or removing heat energy leads to a change of state |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 3 Science: closest match in Chemical sciences. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 2 Science: closest content focus for Investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 3 NGSS science closest topic match for Investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 2 / Year 3: closest programme-of-study match for Investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 3 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 2 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 3 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how.... |