Jacob found a piece of a broken glass bottle. He picked it up and made these observations about it:
1. No color (clear)
2. Makes scratches on wood
3. Has a bumpy surface
4. Broke when I dropped it
He thinks the glass is a solid and most of his observations could only apply to a solid. Which one of his observations could possibly apply to a solid, a liquid or a gas?
Think about this one a little and I am sure you will see the answer..
Can a liquid or a gas...
1. have no color??
2. Make a scratch on wood?
3. have a bumpy surface??
4. break when dropped??
To determine which one of Jacob's observations could possibly apply to a solid, a liquid, or a gas, let's analyze each observation:
1. No color (clear): This observation doesn't provide enough information to determine whether it applies to a solid, liquid, or gas. All three states of matter can be colorless or transparent.
2. Makes scratches on wood: This observation suggests that the object is hard enough to scratch wood. Since liquids and gases generally don't have this property, it is more likely that the observed object is a solid.
3. Has a bumpy surface: A bumpy surface can be found in solids, liquids, and gases. For example, ice can have a bumpy surface, water can appear rough on the surface when agitated, and certain gases can have uneven surfaces due to the interactions between their particles.
4. Broke when dropped: This observation suggests that the object is fragile and can break. Solids can certainly break, but it is also possible for certain types of glass-like liquids to fracture when subjected to sufficient force. Gases, on the other hand, cannot break due to their molecular nature.
Based on these observations, the only observation that could potentially apply to all three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) is observation 3: "Has a bumpy surface."