Pourability or Liquid?

olid
S
S oli ds
Granu all
lar, Powdery an d Sm
Do you think these materials are solids or liquids? Can they be poured?

talc rice washing

powder
sand

salt
flour sugar
coffee

If a material can be poured, does that make it a liquid? Not necessarily! There is a
difference between liquids and pourable solids.

L iquid s Spread Out

p a n d
Solids Hea
Are powders solids? When you take a closer look at what makes up a powder, you
will see each grain of powder is very small and can keep its shape. Powders are
made from solid materials. When these tiny grains get together, they behave like
liquids because they can be poured and fill containers. Try pouring a powder and
watch how it forms a heap. Usually, powders must be shaken to fill the shape of
the container they are in. Powders will not spread out under the force of gravity.

Gra
nular ath e r Than Flow
and Powdery Solids Heap R
Next time you are not sure if a substance is a solid or liquid, take a very close
look to see if the tiny pieces that make it up are solids. Pour the substance into a
shallow dish to see if it spreads out or creates a heap.