Science Lab

Science Lab: Observable Properties of Matter

Names of Group Members:  __________________________________________

Question:  How do the properties of various types of matter change when water (H20) is added? 

Hypothesis: (4 marks)  If polymer crystals are mixed with water, we think they will  _____________________________________________________________________________

If corn starch is mixed with water, we think it will _____________________________________________________________________________

If baking soda is mixed with water, we think it will _____________________________________________________________________________

If baking soda is mixed with vinegar, we think it will _____________________________________________________________________________

Materials: 

3 clean, glass bowls/cups/beakers		measuring spoons
hot water		stirring rod or spoon
polymer crystals		paper towel/colored paper
cornstarch		vinegar
baking soda

Procedure: 

1. Record your observations of each sample of matter on the chart in the column - before H2O.

2.  Get one cup of hot (not boiling) water in a beaker.

3.  Put ½ tsp of polymer crystals into the water.  Stir for 10 seconds.,

4.  Record your observations on the chart in the column – in H2O.

5.  Leave the crystals in the beaker of water as we will come back later and record more observations. 

6.  Put 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in your cup/bowl. 

7.  Add 1 TBSP (15 mL) of water while stirring the cornstarch. 

8.  Add 1 more TBSP of water and stir. 

9.  Record your observations on the chart in the column – in H2O.

10.  Put 2 teaspoons (5 mL) of baking soda in the 3^rd bowl. 

11.  Add 1 tsp of water while stirring the baking soda.

12.  Add 1 more tsp of water and stir.

13.  Record your observations on the chart in the column  – in  H2O.

14.  Now, add 1 TBSP (15 mL) of vinegar to the baking soda and water mixture. 

15.  Record your observations on the chart in the column – after vinegar.

16.  Go back and record your observations in the column – after 5 min. in H2O.  

Data and Observations: (10 marks)

Compound	Before H2O	In H2O	After 5 minutes in H2O	In vinegar
Polymer Crystals	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -
Cornstarch	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -
Baking Soda	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -	colour - taste - texture- odour- clarity -

Analysis:

1.  Which of the compounds underwent the most drastic observable change when placed in water? (1 mark)

Look up polymer on this site: http://weirdsciencekids.com/DefinitionPolymer.html  Write the definition in your own words.  (1 mark)

 Why do you think this compound changed so much?  (2 marks)

2.  Do you think any of the compounds would have reacted differently if the water was a different temperature?  Explain.  (2 marks)

3.  What do you think would have happened to each of the compounds if the amount of water added was doubled and the amount of compound was kept the same?  (3 marks)

Conclusion:

1.  Were your hypotheses for each compound correct, partly correct or incorrect?  (4 marks)

Application: 

1.  What things have you learned from doing this experiment?  (3 marks)

2.  Can you see yourself using any of the information learned here in the future?  Explain. (2 marks) 

Group Evaluation – Decide as a group what mark each member has earned.

Name of Student	Attention (focussed, concentrated, stayed with group)	Attitude (cooperative, positive, helpful)	Responsibility (was careful with equipment, obeyed directions, cleaned up)	Total
	/5	/5	/5	/15
	/5	/5	/5	/15
	/5	/5	/5	/15