5th - Physical & Chemical Change

We finished up before the spring break with a lab on physical and chemical change. The students effected physical change on a variety of substances (metal, paper, yarn & clay). They described the change and how it met the criteria for physical change to their group.

Physical changes are noted for not changing the molecular make-up of a substance. For example, freezing water is an example of a physical change

Ask you student which item they made a change to and why is qualified as a physical change.

The class outlined things that represent that chemical change took place. They took the temperature of 50 mL of water and then placed three "Alka-Seltzer" tablets in the water.

Ask your student what two signs indicated that a chemical change had taken place. (creation of gas observed as bubbles, change in temperature - it dropped).

Upon our return our final two labs of the year will take us back to science standards learned in grade four as the students prepare for a cumulative 2 year assessment of fourth & fifth grade science in their CST.