Montessori Science
Materials That Absorb Water: Interactive and Printable Worksheets for Grade 4
Quick science lesson and free worksheets on materials that absorb water (porous and nonporous materials).
One of the ways to classify materials according to its properties is to determine whether it can absorb water or not.
Materials can absorb or repel water.
To absorb means to take in or swallow up in a natural way.
To repel means to keep something out or away.
Materials that can absorb liquids such as water are called porous materials.
- The word “porous” means capable of absorbing liquids. It comes from the word “pore” (small opening) because porous materials have small holes or openings that allow air or liquid to pass through.
- When talking about porosity (the state of being porous) the word “pore” also means the empty spaces (or “void”) within the material. The reason these materials can absorb water is that the water can enter the material and stay in its empty spaces.
Why do you think it is important to know whether a thing can absorb water or not?
Can you make an umbrella or a boat out of porous materials?
What do face masks, face shields, and the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by health workers have in common?
Why do you think cotton clothes are more comfortable to wear in hot places?
If you accidentally spill milk on the table, do you think the milk will be absorbed by the table? Does it matter what kind of table it is? Do people consider the porosity of a material when buying things?
These are the things you can think about as you work on this lesson on the ability of materials to absorb water.
Free Worksheets
Note on the Worksheets
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Things That Absorb Water: Worksheet 1
In this worksheet on materials that absorb water, you are asked to sort familiar objects by whether or not they can absorb water. As you sort them, think about how their porosity affects how they are used and what we use them for.
Note: You can download a free printable version of this worksheet here: Things That Absorb Water: Worksheet 1
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Materials That Absorb Water: Worksheet 2
Use this worksheet as follow-up exercise for this lesson on materials that absorb water. Even though it may sometimes seem trivial, the porosity of a material actually matters in many of the decisions we make in our day-to-day lives.
Note: You can download a free printable version of this worksheet here: Materials That Absorb Water: Worksheet 2
liveworksheets.com
Porous and Nonporous Materials: Worksheet for Grade 4
This is a 10-point quiz on materials that can or can’t absorb water (porous or nonporous materials).
Note: You can download a free printable version of this worksheet here: Porous and Nonporous Materials: Worksheet for Grade 4
liveworksheets.com
Did you enjoy this worksheet on materials that absorb water?
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