Changes In Matter
Chemical and Physical Changes
Directions
With a partner, read aloud the information below about chemical and physical changes. Then read the information about changes in nature (including the captions). When done, begin completing the activities that follow.
Chemical and Physical Changes
Partner up and read these examples out loud together.
- Chocolate syrup dissolved in milk
- A plate is dropped and shatters
- Grass in mowed
- Metal Knife is sharpened
- Breakfast Cereal goes soggy
- Crumpling a sheet of paper
- Melting an ice cube
- Casting silver in a mold
- Breaking a bottle
- Wood burns to form black charcoal
- A green tomato ripens and turns red
- Fireworks explode to form colorful light and loud sounds
- Vegetables scraps in the compost bin decompose to form rich soil
- An egg is cooked to become a white and yellow solid
- Car engine running (combustion)
- Digesting food
- Plants or animals decomposing
- The Statue of Liberty corroding
How to Tell?
Ask yourself if this change could undone and if a brand new substance has been formed. If the answer is no, it is probably a chemical change. Chemical reactions release or absorb heat or other energy or may produce a gas, odor, color or sound. If you don't see any of these indications, a physical change likely occurred.
Physical Changes in Nature
Cutting Trees/Grass
Changes in the Land (Erosion)
Building Structures
All Forms of Water In Nature
Creeks, River, Rain, Snow, Clouds, Lakes, etc.
Decorating with Items Found In Nature
Clothing
Items made from wool, cotton, etc.
Chewing Up Food (Not Digesting)
Wooden and Painted Fence
Flowers Being Cut
Chemical Changes in Nature
Signs of a Chemical Change
- Bubbles of gas appear. Not bubbles that you see in boiling water or soda.
- A solid forms. When two liquids mix and form a solid; don't confuse precipitation with simple freezing.
- A color change occurs. A change in color that the scientist choose did not make.
- The temperature changes. It takes energy to break chemical bonds.
- Light is emitted.
- A change in volume occurs.
- A change in ability to conduct electricity.
- A change in melting point or boiling point occurs.
- A change in smell or taste occurs. Since many chemical reactions have poisonous reactants or products, this method of detecting chemical change isn't recommended!
- A change in any distinctive chemical or physical property occurs.
*2. Identify Chemical and Physical Changes Activities
You will show this to Mrs. Primm when done. This is for a grade.
Answer These Questions
Get a partner to try to answer the questions together. Press the blue start button to begin.
Chemical Reactions - BIll Nye The Science Guy
Changes in the Properties of Matter Physical and Chemical