What is a gas
Gases are everywhere!
Gases are a state of matter, like solids and liquids. They are made up of tiny particles that move quickly and spread out to fill any space. Common gases include air, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
Fun fact: the air we breathe is a mixture of different gases.
Gas vs Liquids
Gas
Particles are far apart and move freely. Gases spread out to fill any container.
Liquid
Particles are close and move past each other. Takes the container’s shape, keeps volume.
Gas vs Solid
Gas
No fixed shape or volume. No fixed shape or volume.
Solid
Fixed shape and volume.
Particles are packed closely and vibrate in place.
Where do we find gases?
Gases are all around us, even though we can’t see most of them.
- In the air we breathe
- In fizzy drinks
- In car tyres
In Māori culture, the wind is seen as a life force.
Gases can be dangerous
Cooking – Natural gas is used in many stoves and ovens
Medicine – Oxygen gas helps hospital patients breathe
Science Experiment – carbon dioxide is used for making bubbles and reactions.
Comparing matter in te ao Māori
He tirohanga Māori
In Māori culture, water is a taonga and changes state in many important ways, such as in rivers, clouds and rain. Understanding these changes helps us care for the environment.