CLASS – VI

SCIENCE
CH-8: A JOURNEY THROUGH STATES OF MATTER

NCERT BACK EXERCISE

Q1. Give examples of liquids other than water that evaporate.

A1. Examples of liquids other than water that evaporate are alcohol, acetone, and
petrol.

Q2. Observe the activities in your house for a day. Identify the activities that
involve evaporation. How does understanding the process of evaporation
help us in our daily activities?
A2. Some daily household activities that involve evaporation are:
 Drying wet clothes, wet vessels, wet hair, mopped floors
 Sweating, which cools our body
 Cooking (boiling water)
 Disappearance of hand sanitiser upon rubbing it on hands.
 Cooling water in earthen pot
 Disappearance of water from puddles
Understanding evaporation helps us optimize these processes. For example, it teaches
us that spreading clothes out will dry them faster, or that fans can speed up the
drying process.

Q3. We see green coloured plastic grass at many places these days. Space
around natural grass feels cooler than space around the plastic grass. Can
you find out why?
A3. Space around natural grass feels cooler as natural grass carries out the process of
transpiration and evaporation. These processes absorb heat and cool the surrounding
air.
Plastic grass cannot transpire or evaporate water, so it does not provide the cooling
effect.

Q4. Fans move air around, creating a cooling sensation. It might seem
strange to use a fan to dry wet clothes since fans usually make things

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cooler, not warmer. Normally, when water evaporates, it requires heat, not
cold air. What do you think about this?
A4. Fans help to dry wet clothes by moving air over them, which increases the rate of
evaporation.
Even though fans make us feel cool, they aid in evaporation by removing the humid
air near the cloth and replacing it with drier air. This speeds up the drying process.

Q5. Usually, when sludge is removed from drains, it is left in heaps next to
the drain for 3–4 days. Afterward, it is transported to a garden or a field
where it can be used as manure. This approach reduces transportation cost
of the sludge and enhances the safety of individuals handling it. Reflect
upon it and explain how.
A5. Leaving the sludge in heaps for 3–4 days allows much of its water content to
evaporate.
This reduces its weight and volume. Thus, it becomes easier and less expensive to
transport.
Additionally, handling the drier sludge is safer because it is less messy, less likely to
spill and release harmful contaminants.

Q6. The seat of a two-wheeler parked on a sunny day has become very hot.
How can you cool it down?
A6. To cool down the hot seat of a two-wheeler parked in the sun, we can:
(a) Cover it with a wet cloth.
(b)Sprinkle water on it.
(c) Use a sunshade or seat cover.
(d)Park the vehicle in a shade.

Q7. How is water present in the solid state in nature?

A7. Water is present in solid state in nature in the following forms:
(a) Ice – found in glaciers, ice caps, and icebergs
(b)Snow – commonly found in mountainous regions and during winters
(c) Hail – solid precipitation falling as balls or lumps of ice
(d)Frost – a thin layer of ice that forms on surfaces when the temperature drops
below freezing point.
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Q8. Reflect on the statement “Water is our responsibility before it is our
right.” Share your thoughts.
A8. This statement emphasizes the importance of conserving water and using it
responsibly. Water is essential for life and everyone has the right to access clean
water. It is our duty to protect and preserve water resources to ensure that they are
available for future generations.

EXTRA QUESTIONS (NOTES)

Q1. DEFINE:
(a) Water vapour – The gaseous state of water is called water vapour.
(b)Freezing – The process of conversion of a liquid (water) into its solid state (ice)
upon cooling is called freezing.
(c) Melting – The process of conversion of a solid (ice) into its liquid state (water)
upon heating is called melting.
(d)Evaporation – The process of conversion of a liquid (water) into its gaseous state
(water vapour) upon heating is called evaporation. Evaporation produces cooling
effect.
(e) Condensation – The process of conversion of a gas (water vapour) into its liquid
state (water) upon cooling is called condensation.
(f) Precipitation – Water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface in the
form of rain, snow, or hail is called precipitation.
(g)Humidity – The amount of water vapour present in air is called humidity.

Q2. Compare the properties of different states of water.

OR
Different states of water show many differences in their behaviour. Explain
how.
Ice Water Water Vapour
(Solid State) (Liquid State) (Gaseous State)
Ice has a fixed shape and Water does not have a Water vapour neither has
volume. fixed shape but it has a a fixed shape nor a fixed
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 fixed volume. volume.
Ice retains its shape Water takes the shape of Water Vapour spreads and
irrespective of its the container it is poured takes up all the available
container. into. space.
Ice does not flow or Water can both flow and Water Vapour can both
spread. spread while keeping its flow and spread (spreads
volume constant. out to fill all available
space).

Q3. How can you change ice to liquid state and then to its gaseous state?
(a) Ice can be converted into its liquid state (water) by heating. This process is called
melting.
(b)Further, water can be converted into its gaseous state (water vapour) by again
heating. This process is called evaporation.

Q4. Illustrate conversion of different states of water through a flowchart.

EVAPORA
MELTS
TES
LIQUI GAS
SOLI
D (water
D
(water vapour
(ice)
) )
CONDENS
FREEZES
ES

Q5. Fill in the following boxes:

Q6. List the factors on which the rate of evaporation depends.

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A6. The rate of evaporation depends on the following factors:
(a) Temperature – Higher the temperature, faster is the rate of evaporation.
(b)Area exposed to heat and air – Larger area exposed to heat and air allows faster
evaporation.
(c) Air Movement (Wind) – Increased air movement allows faster evaporation.
(d)Humidity – Lower humidity increases the rate of evaporation.

Q7. How does evaporation causes a cooling effect?

A7. During evaporation, a liquid absorbs heat from its surroundings and thus results in
a cooling effect.

Q8. Explain how do clouds give us rain.

(a) When air rises high above the Earth’s surface, it becomes cooler.
(b)At a certain height, the air cools enough that the water vapour condenses into tiny
water droplets. These droplets usually form around dust particles.
(c) Many tiny droplets float and come together to form clouds.
(d)Some drops become bigger and heavier and start falling.
(e) These falling water drops are called rain.

Q9. What is water cycle?

A9. Water from the oceans and the Earth’s surface evaporates as water vapour;
these vapours condense to form clouds; return as precipitation in the form of
rain, hail, or snow; and ultimately flows back to the oceans. This circulation of
water between the Earth surface and atmosphere is known as the water cycle.

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 APPLICATION BASED QUESTIONS – EVAPORATION

Q10. After washing utensils, water remains on the surface. After some time
it dries. Where does the water go?
A10. The water from the surface of utensils evaporates (water converts into water
vapours) with time.

Q11. Where does hand sanitizer disappear when we rub it on our hands?
A11. It disappears due to evaporation as heat is produced on rubbing hands.

Q12. While making a dosa, we sprinkle water on the hot pan and it
disappears. Where does it go?
A12. Water on the hot pan gets converted into steam because of evaporation.

Q13. Which of the two:– water in earthen pot or water in stainless steel pot,
will give cold water after being left for some time. Illustrate with another
example.
A13. Water in an earthen pot will be cold. Water seeps through the surface of the
earthen pot and evaporates, which imparts a cooling effect on the water.

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On the other hand, water in a stainless-steel pot will not be cold because it does not
allow evaporation.

Another example: We can cool the surface of a roof or floor by sprinkling water on it.
As the water evaporates, it absorbs heat and makes the surface cooler.

APPLICATION BASED QUESTIONS – CONDENSATION

Q14. Suggest possible reasons explaining the appearance of water droplets

on the outer surface of a glass tumbler containing cold lemonade.
A14. Water does not come out from the glass tumbler. When the water vapours
present in the air come in contact with a cold surface, they get converted into water.
This process of conversion of water vapour into its liquid state is called condensation.

Q15. List some activities from your surroundings that involve condensation.
(a) Dew on Grass
(b)Water on Cold Glass
(c) Fog on Windows
(d)Formation of Clouds
(e) Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) machines collect water from humid air to
produce drinkable water.

Q16. Why does air containing water vapour go up in the atmosphere?

A16. Air containing water vapour goes up in the atmosphere because water vapour is
lighter than dry air.

Q17. What role do dust particles play in the process of cloud formation?
A17. Water vapour in the air needs a surface to condense on. Dust particles act as tiny
surfaces on which water vapour condenses to form tiny water droplets. These droplets
come together to form clouds.

Q18. Fill in the blanks:

(a) The process of evaporation takes place continuously, even at room

temperature.

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(b)Hand sanitiser evaporates as you rub it on your hands.

(c) The reasons for the disappearance of water from the puddles are seeping of water

into the ground and evaporation of water.

(d)We see dew drops more in the morning because early morning air is very cool. So,

the water vapour condenses and settles on various things as dew drops.

(e) When we boil the water in a half-filled utensil and cover it with a steel plate, some

water drops accumulate on the inner side of the steel plate. These water drops

come from the condensation of steam produced during boiling.

(f) Some other substances that exhibit 3 states of matter are wax, oil and ghee.

(g)The smell of yummy food from cooking spreads through the air and reaches our

nostrils, even if we are not in the kitchen.

(h)Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) machines collect water from humid air

to produce drinkable water. This is done through condensation of water vapour

by cooling the air.

(i) Clothes dry slowly on a rainy day because water evaporates slowly due to the

high amount of water in the air.

(j) We feel cooler if we sit under a fan because the wind helps the sweat to

evaporate and cools us.

(k) We feel cool when we rub sanitizer on our hands because it evaporates by

absorbing heat from our skin. This absorption of heat causes a cooling effect.

(l) Condensation plays a significant role in the process of bringing evaporated water

back to the Earth’s surface.

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 REVISION ASSIGNMENT
I. TICK (√) THE CORRECT OPTION:
1. At what temperature does pure water freeze at normal atmospheric pressure?
(a) 0 °C (b) 10 °C (c) 100 °C (d) –10 °C
2. Which process changes water vapour directly into liquid form?
(a) Evaporation (b) Melting (c) Condensation (d) Freezing
3. Which of the following helps in faster evaporation of water?
(a) Higher temperature (b) More surface area
(c) Stronger wind (d) All of these
4. Why do we feel cool after sweating?
(a) Sweat condenses (b) Sweat evaporates
(c) Sweat freezes (d) Sweat melts
5. What is the boiling point of water at sea level?
(a) 50 °C (b) 80 °C (c) 100 °C (d) 120 °C
6. Clouds are formed due to which process?
(a) Freezing (b) Condensation (c) Melting (d) Evaporation
7. Which form of water is present in the air around us?
(a) Ice (b) Liquid water (c) Water vapour (d) Snow
8. Which of the following is not a process in the water cycle?
(a) Evaporation (b) Condensation (c) Photosynthesis (d) Precipitation
9. What causes dew drops to form on leaves in the early morning?
(a) Evaporation (b) Freezing (c) Condensation (d) Sublimation
10. Why does evaporation cause cooling?
(a) Objects release heat (b) Objects absorb heat
(c) Objects freeze (d) Objects condense
11. Water cycle does not involve which of the following?
(a) Evaporation (b) Condensation
(c) Formation of clouds (d) Rainwater harvesting
12. Which process helps in formation of salt from seawater?
(a) Freezing (b) Evaporation (c) Condensation (d) Boiling
13. In which of the following case evaporation of water will be slowest?
(a) A tray of water kept in sunlight. (b) A kettle of water kept on a burner.
(c) A glass of water kept in a room. (d) A bucket of water kept on rooftop.

14. Which state of water has a fixed volume but no fixed shape?
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 (a) Ice (b) Liquid water (c) Water vapour (d) All of these
15. Why does wet clothes dry faster on a windy day?
(a) Wind increases condensation (b) Wind reduces temperature
(c) Wind increases evaporation (d) Wind freezes water
16. What is the main source of water vapour in the atmosphere?
(a) Rivers (b) Oceans (c) Lakes (d) Glaciers
17. Which of the following processes is responsible for formation of rain?
(a) Evaporation (b) Condensation (c) Precipitation (d) Both (b) and (c)
18. Which process is used in distillation of water?
(a) Evaporation and condensation (b) Boiling and freezing
(c) Melting and sublimation (d) Freezing and condensation
19. Snow on mountains melts slowly because:
(a) Temperature is high (b) Temperature is low
(c) Air pressure is high (d) Wind is fast
20. Which of the following best explains the water cycle?
(a) Movement of water through rivers
(b) Circulation of water between earth and atmosphere
(c) Storage of water in oceans
(d) Use of water by plants
21. Transpiration is a process in which plants:
(a) receive water from soil. (b) absorb water vapour from air.
(c) prepare food from water. (d) release water vapour.
22. Clouds are:
(a) tiny drops of water floating in air. (b) mixture of dust and water vapour.
(c) particles of water vapour. (d) rain drops in air.
23. “Catch water where it falls” is the basic idea behind:
(a) recycling of water. (b) making dams to store water.
(c) rain water harvesting. (d) condensation of water vapour.
24. Lakes and rivers often freeze over during cold winters due to:
(a) high evaporation rate (b) high condensation rate
(c) increase in humidity (d) decrease in temperature

25. The rate of evaporation ______ when the temperature of the surrounding air
increases:

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 (a) decreases (b) increases (c) remains constant (d)
stops
26. If a container of water is left in a room where the temperature is 20˚C but the
humidity is very high, the rate of the rate of evaporation
(a) increases due to higher temperature (b) decreases due to higher
humidity
(c) remains the same regardless of humidity (d) increases due to low
pressure

II. Fill in the blanks selecting words from the following list:
snow, rain, clouds, vapour, evaporation, transpiration
Water, as _______________ goes into atmosphere by the processes of ________________
and _______________ and forms _____________, which on condensation fall in the form of
___________ and ____________.

III. Fill in the blanks:

(1)Water in the __________state has a fixed shape.
(2)When we see water droplets on the outside of a cold glass of lemonade, it is due to
the ____________________ of water vapour from the air.
(3)In a desert environment, high temperature leads to high rates of
____________________ and can quickly dry up water sources.
(4)In a ____________________, water changes its state between solid, liquid and gas
while moving through the environment.
(5)The water cycle consists of evaporation condensation and __________.

IV. Match the following:

Column – A Column – B
(1)Melting (a) amount of moisture present in air
(2)Freezing (b)aids in water cycle
(3)Evaporation (c) cooling of water vapour at high altitude
(4)Condensation (d)heating of a wax scandal
(5)Precipitation (e) formation of a sheet of ice on water bodies during
winters
(6)Humidity (f) cooling of water kept in a matka
(7)Clouds (g)formation of fog

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V. State True or False:
(1)Water turns into water vapour when it is heated.
(2)Condensation is a process where water vapour turns into ice directly without
becoming a liquid.
(3)Evaporation occurs faster in warm and dry conditions than in cold and humid
conditions.
(4)Water kept in a shady place will not evaporate.
(5)Precipitation includes clouds, rain, snow and hail.

VI. Assertion – Reason:

The following questions consists of two statements Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Answer the following questions selecting the appropriate option given below:
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

(1)Assertion (A): Steam forms water droplets on a cold surface.

Reason (R): Condensation happens when the water vapour loses heat and turns
back into liquid.
(2)Assertion (A): Evaporation can happen in a closed container.
Reason (R): In a closed container the rate of evaporation is higher than in an open
container.
(3)Assertion (A): Water in a pot left on a window under direct sunlight will evaporate
and water in a shaded area will not evaporate.
Reason (R): Sunlight increases the temperature of the water which speeds up the
evaporation process.
(4)Assertion (A): Plants lose water through their leaves in the form of water vapour.
Reason (R): The process this process is called transportation which helps in cooling
the plants.
(5)Assertion (A): Evaporation causes cooling.
Reason (R): During evaporation, the liquid loses heat, which causes the
temperature to decrease.

VII. DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN:

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(1)Freezing and Melting
(2)Evaporation and Condensation
(3)Ice, Water and Water vapour

VIII. LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

(1)Explain how clouds are formed.
(2)Most of the water that falls on the land as rain and snow, sooner or later goes back
to a sea or an ocean. Explain how this happens? Also draw a diagram to illustrate
this.

IX. COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS:

Q1. On a humid day, Riya switches on a fan to dry her damp hair after a bath. But a
fan only produces cooling effect by blowing cool air. So, explain how does it help in
drying.
Q2. While cooking, steam from boiling water rises and touches the lid of the pot,
forming water droplets on its inner surface. Explain the process behind this
observation.

X. FILL IN THE BLANKS:

(a) The reasons for the disappearance of water from the puddles are _______ of water
into the ground and _______ of water.
(b)Some other substances that exhibit 3 states of matter are _______, _______and
_______.
(c) Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) machines collect water from _______ air to
produce drinkable water. This is done through _______ of water vapour by cooling
the air.
(d)Clothes dry slowly on a rainy day because water evaporates slowly due to the
_______of water in the air.
(e) We feel cool when we rub sanitizer on our hands because it evaporates by _______
heat from our skin. This absorption of heat causes a _______ effect.
(f) _______ plays a significant role in the process of bringing evaporated water back to
the Earth’s surface.
(g)Air containing water vapour goes up in the atmosphere as water vapour is _______
than air, causing it to _______.

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