5th Grade Physical Science
THE THREE PHASES OF MATTER
WARM-UP
Complete the following table to review the properties of liquids and solids. Write "yes" or "no"
in each column of the table.
Property
Solid
Liquid
Assumes the shape of its container
Can be formed into a sphere
Flows
Crumbles
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT
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1 clear plastic cup
1 craft stick
corn starch
water
measuring cups
LAB SAFETY AND PROTOCOL
Do not wash the material you are about to make down the sink. Throw it in the trash.
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PROCEDURE
1. Measure 1/4 cup (level) of corn starch into the paper cup.
2. Measure 1/8 cup (level) of water into the paper cup.
3. Stir quickly until the mixture is smooth.
4. Does the material look like a solid or liquid (why)?
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5. Poke your finger into the material. Does it behave like a solid or liquid (why)?
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6. Take a spoonful of the material in your hand and roll it into a ball. Then place it on the
desk. How did it behave when you tried to roll it into a ball?
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7. On the desk?
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8. Pick it up again and hold it for a few minutes. Do you observe any changes that
demonstrate the presence of a gas?
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CONCLUSION
Is this material a solid, liquid or gas?
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SUSPENSIONS AND SOLUTIONS
HYPOTHESIS
How can you tell if a mixture is a suspension or a solution?
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MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT
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3 jars
3 stir sticks
6 labels
measuring spoons
baking soda
baking powder
flour
LAB SAFETY AND PROTOCOL
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PROCEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Label the jars with the names of the three substances.
Fill each of the jars half way with water.
Measure 1/8 teaspoon of each substance in the appropriate jar and stir.
Observe each mixture.
Which one is the solution? Why?
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6. Which one is the suspension? Why?
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7. Which one is the chemical reaction? What did you observe?
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CONCLUSION
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SEPARATING SOLIDS
HYPOTHESIS
What physical properties could be used to separate a mixture of pepper, salt, sand, and iron
filings?
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MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT
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1 small jar
3 index cards
2 plastic stir sticks
1 magnet
1 filter paper
1 beaker water
mixture of sand, salt, pepper, iron filings
LAB SAFETY AND PROTOCOL
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PROCEDURE
1. Spread out a small amount of the mixture on one index card.
2. Charge the stir stick with static electricity by rubbing it briskly in your hair. Slowly bring
it close to the mixture but do not touch it.
3. Brush off the particles that are separated onto a clean index card. Repeat this several
times. What particles did you separate out? ________________________
4. Place the magnet under the index card with the remaining mixture. Slowly pull it to the
side.
5. Remove the magnet and brush the separated particles off onto a clean index card. What
are they? ________________________
6. Prepare the filter by folding it in quarters.
7. Put the remaining mixture into the jar. Fill the jar half way with water and stir with the
clean stir stick.
8. Pour this liquid through the filter into the beaker.
What is left in the filter? ________________________
What do you think is in the beaker? ________________________
9. How could you retrieve the remaining solid from this solution?
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CONCLUSION
What physical properties did you use to separate the solids?
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