Activities

1. Define physical property. Give one example.
   
   
2. Define chemical property. Give one example.

3. For each change given below, write P for physical change or C for chemical change.
   1. Rusting bicycle                     _____
   2. Coloring your hair                _____             
   3. Burning a marshmallow       _____
   4. Crushing a rock                    _____
   5. Melting chocolate                _____
   6. A window breaking              _____
   7. Pouring milk on cereal         _____
      
      
4. You are given a glass beaker and seven different types of liquids. You are instructed to slowly pour them into the beaker one at a time. The liquids form layers instead of mixing. Explain why this happens.

5. Given four substances, design a lab that answers the question, “What are the physical and chemical properties of common substances?”
   
   
6. Your science teacher places a box on your desk. Inside is a mystery solid. Your task is to write a paragraph describing it. What are some of the physical and chemical properties you could write about?

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Physical properties are the characteristics of an object that can easily be seen. They do not change the chemical nature of the object. Examples include, but are not limited to:
   • Color
   • Hardness
   • Smell
   • Freezing point
   • Melting point
     
     
2. Chemical properties are the traits that describe the composition of matter. They do change the chemical nature of the object. Examples are how an object reacts with certain substances, flammability, rusting, etc.

3. Answers:
   1. C
   2. C
   3. C
   4. P
   5. P
   6. P
   7. P

4. Acceptable responses might include, but not be limited to:
   Each of the liquids has a different density. The more dense liquids go towards the bottom of the beaker and the liquids with the lowest density go to the top.

5. Acceptable responses might include, but not be limited to:
   Materials needed – foil/paper plate/wax paper; pan; heat source; vinegar; water; iodine; droppers

Step 1: Place the substances on foil/paper plate/wax paper.

Step 2: Record the color and texture of each substance.

Step 3: Test the substance’s reaction to water by adding 1 – 2 drops of water to it. Record data.

Step 4: Test the substance’s reaction to vinegar by adding 1 – 2 drops of vinegar to it. Record data.

Step 5: Test the substance’s reaction to iodine by adding 1 – 2 drops of iodine to it. Record data.

Step 6: Place a small amount of the substance in a pan and place over heat. Record data.

6. Acceptable responses might include, but not be limited to:
   Students could write about the objects color, shape, freezing or melting point, density, mass, texture, smell, etc.  When describing chemical properties they should include how they would test for them (e.g.; placing object in pan over heat; dropping water onto it, etc.).