Name
Date
1.4 Act 2
Pd
Mixing Things Up
Materials:
For each group:
 small, clear containers
 2 stirrers
 2 spoons
 small flashlight that can be focused or laser pointer
 Hand lens
 Two crayons (different colors)
 Optional: microscope and well slides
For whole group:
 Water
 Solids:
o Flour
o Topsoil
o Sand
o Powdered coffee creamer
o Sugar
1. Define the following terms, and provided examples of each.
a. heterogeneous mixture
b. homogeneous mixture
2. Gather samples of the solids that you are going to mix with water. Record you observations
for the solids before you mix them with water in the data table.
3. Put water into your clear containers until each is about ¾ full. Add 2 spoonful of a different
solid to each container and stir. Record you observations immediately after the solids are
mixed with water in the “change” column of the data.
4. Wait a few minutes, noticing any changes that occur in the containers as time passes, and
record your observations in the “after” column. Try to come to an agreement in your group as
to which of the mixtures are homogeneous and which are heterogeneous.
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
1
MSS Gr 8 U1.4 Act 2
Water
Before
Clear colorless
liquid
Observations
Change
After
Type of Mixture
X
X
Sand
Dirt
Flour
Creamer
Sugar
5. Use the hand lens and the flashlight to observe the contents of the containers more closely.
When you shine the flashlight through the water in a container, place a sheet of white paper
behind the container to aid your observation. If a microscope is available, you may want to
use it to observe a drop of liquid from one or more of the containers. Once you have
completed these observations, decide if you still agree with your original classification of the
mixtures as homogeneous/heterogeneous. Record any change you think should be made in
your original classification of the type of mixture.
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
2
MSS Gr 8 U1.4 Act 2
6. For each mixture, draw a picture in the appropriate container showing in what way you think
the particles (atoms or molecules) of the two substances are arranged or distributed that might
account for your observations. Use two different colors to represent the particles of the two
substances.
Sand/water
7.
Dirt/water
Flour/water
Creamer/water
Sugar/water
How could you remove the flour from the water? How could you get back the sugar from the
water?
8. Record your ideas of the particle level after the whole group discussion carefully including
any changes you would now like to make from your original ideas. And state whether the
mixture is a solution, colloid, or suspension.
Sand/water
Dirt/water
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
Flour/water
3
Creamer/water
Sugar/water
MSS Gr 8 U1.4 Act 2