Name: ______Date: ______Period. ______
Physical and Chemical Changes Lab
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab is for you to understand the difference between a physical and a chemical change. In order to accomplish this, you must first know some background information relating to this lab.
Background Information:
1. What is matter?
2. What is a physical property?
3. List 3 examples of the physical properties of matter?
4. What is a physical change?
5. Give an example of a physical change.
6. What is a chemical property?
7. List3 examples of the chemical properties of matter?
8. What is a chemical change?
9. What are the three clues that indicate a chemical change has occurred?
Procedure:
There will be 8 “lab stations” that you must observe. You will be given a limited amount of time at each station to collect data. Your teacher will instruct students when to rotate to each station.
Station 1
1. Place a small amount of baking soda onto the glass lens.
2. Use the pipette to add a small amount of vinegar onto the baking soda.
3. Observe the reaction
4. Clean up the contents by wiping the lens with a paper towel.
5. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Station 2
1. Sharpen a pencil using the pencil sharpener.
2. Observe what happens.
3. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Station 3
1. Use the pipette to add a small amount of water onto a glass lens
2. Place a small amount of corn starch onto the same glass lens and mix.
3. Observe what happens.
4. Clean up the contents by wiping the lens off.
5. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Station 4
1. Turn on the hot plate to 10. (BE CAREFUL)
2. Using a pipet, place a small amount of water on the hot plate. (BE CAREFUL)
3. Observe what happens. (BE CAREFUL)
4. Turn off the hotplate. (BE CAREFUL)
5. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Station 5
1. Fill the beaker halfway with water
2. Place a small amount of salt into the beaker and stir.
3. Observe what happens.
4. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Station 6
1. Fill the beaker with 50 mL of water.
2. Break the Alka Seltzer tablet in half and place it in the water.
3. Observe the reaction
4. Clean up by rinsing the beaker out and drying with a paper towel.
5. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Station 7
1. Light the candle with a lighter.
2. Observe the lit candle
3. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Station 8
1. Take a sheet of scratch paper and tear it in half
2. Observe what happens
3. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why?
Post Lab Questions
Look at each of the following situations and identify as CHEMICAL or PHYSICAL, then explain why.
- A bridge is rusting______
WHY?
- Ice cube melting______
WHY?
- Mix baking soda and Vinegar______
WHY?
- Cooking a hamburger______
WHY?
- Solid Air Freshener______
WHY?
- A pane of glass is shattered______
WHY?