MARY WARD CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Centre for Self-Directed Learning
Grade 9 Academic Science (SNC 1D1)
Unit # 6: CHEMISTRY – Matter
Unit Last Revised: November 2013
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
TIME
EVALUATION
CATEGORY
MARKS
Rubric
Knowledge/
Inquiry
Level
Activity A - Matter
1. What is Matter?
2. Classifying Matter
2.0 hr
Activity B – Physical and Chemical
Properties
1. Physical Properties
2. Chemical Properties and
Changes
1.0 hr
Activity C – Unit Assessment
3.0 hr
Total Activity Time:
6.0 hr
Expectations: These are the things you will be learning in this unit:
Overall
 Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of common elements and compounds
 Investigate through inquiry, the physical and chemical properties of common elements and compounds
Understanding Basic Concepts
 Distinguish between elements and compounds
 Describe the characteristic physical and chemical properties of common elements and compounds
Developing Skills of Investigation and Communication
 Use appropriate terminology related to atoms, elements, and compounds
 Conduct an inquiry to identify the physical and chemical properties of common elements and compounds
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Activity A – Matter
1. What is Matter?
Matter is anything that has mass and volume. Mass is the quantity of matter in an object and volume is how
much space it takes up. For example, a brick has a certain mass and takes up certain amount of space. Mass is
often measured in kilograms (kg) and grams (g). Volume is often measured in litres (L), millitlitres (mL).
□
□
in your Investigating Science 9 textbook read pages 137-140
answer the following in your notebook:
1) Copy figure 4.4 on page 138 in your notebook to show how matter can change from the 3 states – solid,
liquid and gas.
2) What is the difference between a melting point, freezing point, and boiling point?
3) What are the 4 points of the particle theory?
4) Compare the distances and attractive forces of particles in a solid, liquid and gas. You may do this in a
table.
5) What does adding heat do to particles of a solid? If we keep adding heat what will eventually happen to
the distance between particles?
2. Classifying Matter
Matter can be classified as a pure substance or a mixture. A pure substance I made up of one kind of matter,
whereas a mixture is a combination of different types of matter or pure substances.
□
□
in your Investigating Science 9 textbook read pages 141-143
answer the following in your notebook:
1) Pure substances can be either elements or compounds. What is the difference between an element and
compound? Also give examples for each.
2) What is a heterogeneous mixture? What are two types of heterogeneous mixtures?
3) What is a homogenous mixture? What type of mixture is homogenous?
4) Copy figure 4.12 on page 143 in your notebook to summarize the classification of matter.
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Activity B – Physical and Chemical Properties
1. Physical Properties
We describe matter using characteristics called properties. A physical property is a characteristic of a substance
that can be observed or measured. For example, the melting point of water is considered a physical property.
□
in your Investigating Science 9 textbook read pages 150-151
1) Copy table 4.1 on page 151 in your notebook. Do some research and add “transparency” to this table.
2. Chemical Properties and Changes
A chemical property describes the ability of a substance to change into a new substance or substances.
Therefore, to observe a chemical property a reaction has to occur. This reaction is also called a chemical
change, which is different from a physical change.
In a physical change, the substances involved remain the same substances, even though there may be a change
of state or form. Some examples of physical changes are melting, boiling, freezing, and dissolving. Most physical
changes are easy to reverse.
□
□
in your Investigating Science 9 textbook read pages 152-155
answer the following in your notebook:
1) List 6 different types of evidence of chemical change (not Table 4.2).
2) What is combustibility? Give an example of combustibility.
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Activity C – Unit Assessment
 Hand in for assessment: level
After completing all the learning checkboxes, you are now ready to complete your unit assessment. Answer the
following questions and hand in to your teacher. Some questions will be the same as the ones you have already done in
your notebook.
After your teacher reviews your answers you will receive a unit assessment feedback sheet. You will not get a numerical
mark for this assessment but a level from the rubric below and feedback on where you need to improve.
Level 1
Knowledge
Minimal knowledge of
facts, terms, concepts,
theories and relationships
was demonstrated.
Level 2
Some knowledge of facts,
terms, concepts, theories
and relationships was
demonstrated
.
Level 3
Level 4
Adequate knowledge of
facts, terms, concepts,
theories and relationships
was demonstrated
Thorough knowledge of
facts, terms, concepts,
theories and relationships
was demonstrated
What is Matter?
1) Explain how matter changes between the 3 different states
2) Using the particle theory of matter, explain what makes a liquid different from a solid in terms of distances
between particles and particle attraction.
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3) What does adding heat do to particles of a solid? If we keep adding heat what will eventually happen to the
distance between particles?
4) What is the difference between an element and a compound? Give examples.
5) What is the difference between a heterogeneous and homogenous mixture? Give examples.
6) What is combustibility?
As part of this Unit Assessment you will also complete the following two labs in the unit guide:


Lab –Using Properties to Identify Pure Substances
Lab – Physical and Chemical Changes
After completing each lab, make sure you get a lab slip signed or stamped by the lab room teacher.
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Lab – Using Properties to Identify Pure Substances
You do this lab in a group (max 4 students) but will need to hand in an individual report with your unit assessment. Sign
out the following lab kit: Unit 6 – Using Properties to Identify Pure Substances.
For the procedure, follow the instructions on pages 156-157 in your Investigating Science 9 textbook.
Goggles are to be worn during the lab. Complete the lab report in the unit guide. Your report will be assessed
according the rubric below.
Inquiry
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Minimal critical thinking
and inquiry skills were
used to interpret data and
form conclusions
Some critical thinking and
inquiry skills were used to
interpret data and form
conclusions
Adequate critical thinking
and inquiry skills were
used to interpret data and
form conclusions
Thorough critical thinking
and inquiry skills were
used to affectively
interpret data and form
detailed conclusions
LAB REPORT
Purpose:
To identify a substance from its properties.
Observations:
Table
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Substances
Cornstarch
Appearance
Crystal Shape
Magnesium
sulphate
Sodium chloride
Sodium hydrogen
carbonate
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Water
Acid
Iodine
Sodium nitrate
Sodium
thiosulphate
Unknown
#___
Discussion:
1. For each white substance, there is a unique property that distinguishes it from the others. Identify a unique property
for each: cornstarch, sodium hydrogen carbonate, and sodium nitrate.
2. Describe in detail other physical properties (not in this lab) which could be used to describe these white
substances (Hint: check your table of physical properties in your notebook work).
3. The unknown substance is one of the substances you tested. What is the identity of the unknown substance?
Explain how you know this.
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Lab – Investigating Physical and Chemical Changes
You do this lab in a group (max 4 students) but will need to hand in an individual report with your unit assessment. Sign
out the following lab kit: Unit 6 – Investigating Physical and Chemical Changes.
For the procedure, follow the instructions on pages 158-159 in your Investigating Science 9 textbook. Note for your lab
we will make the following changes to the procedure in the textbook:
-
For Test 2, you will be heating paraffin (instead of sugar) in a muffin tin using a hot plate
For Test 4, you will be using silicon dioxide (instead of copper (II) sulphate)
Goggles are to be worn during the lab. Complete the lab report in the unit guide. Your report will be assessed
according the rubric below.
Inquiry
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Minimal critical thinking
and inquiry skills were
used to interpret data and
form conclusions
Some critical thinking and
inquiry skills were used to
interpret data and form
conclusions
Adequate critical thinking
and inquiry skills were
used to interpret data and
form conclusions
Level 4
Thorough critical thinking
and inquiry skills were
used to affectively
interpret data and form
detailed conclusions
LAB REPORT
Purpose:
To investigate characteristics of physical and chemical changes.
Observations:
Table
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Test
sodium carbonate and
hydrochloric acid
Before Change
Observations
During Change
paraffin and heat
copper (II) sulphate and
sodium carbonate
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After Change
silicon dioxide and water
Discussion:
1. Two of the tests are physical changes. Which were physical changes? How do you know?
2. Two of the tests are chemical changes. Which were chemical changes? How do you know?
Congratulations! You have now completed Unit #6.
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