SYMMETRY OF MATTER
Lesson 3

PHYSICAL SCIENCES – SYMMETRY OF MATTER
LESSON 3.  Defining Symmetry

Objective:  Students learn to recognize symmetry.

Materials:

View Thru Geometric Solids
Getting into Solids (Prisms) (optional)

Getting into Solids (Pyramids) optional

Teacher Notes:

Symmetry is difficult to teach.  Symmetry to a scientist, engineer, artist, or mathematician will depend on their different perspectives.  This lesson is just meant to be an introduction and for students to observe and try to classify symmetry.  In a later lesson we will go into the crystal structure in more detail so they can classify the crystal structure of the periodic table. 

There are many web sites with animations of different forms.  They might help you explain symmetry to your students.  If you purchase a set, you might want to use them for the questions on overall symmetry and rotational symmetry.

http://www.ibiblio.org/e-notes/Mview/Cubic.htm

http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/symmetry-rotational.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/shape/symmetryrev3.shtml         

ANSWERS:

1. a.  bilateral, reflective; b. 4 fold; bilateral; c. cubic, 8 fold; d.  radial, infinite; e.  bilateral, reflective; f.  hexagonal, reflective g.  pentagon, 5 fold; h. bilateral, reflective

2.  it is not reflective, house should be upside down and inverted

3.  a,b bilateral, cubic; c,d.  bilateral, 4 fold; e. pentagonal, 5 fold; f.g  bilateral, 3 fold; h. cubic, 8 fold; i bilateral, 3 fold; j,k, l, n bilateral, infinite; m  radial, infiinite