Chemical and Physical Changes in Matter LAB

Matter can be classified in different ways using physical and chemical properties.
Chemical and physical properties must not be confused with chemical and physical changes. Physical
changes refer to a transformation of a substance in which only one or more physical properties change
(usually extensive physical properties). The chemical composition remains the same. Chemical
change refers to the production of new substances which may have physical and chemical properties
different from the original substance.
In this experiment you will investigate the differences between chemical and physical changes in
matter. You will perform several short exercises and observe the changes that occur during each. Then
you will determine if there was a chemical or physical change.
Prepare a data table (or use the one on the back): 1) Show what combined, 2) list the observations, 3)
state whether there was a chemical or physical change and 4) give the reason why you chose your
answer.
PURPOSE: Observe chemical and physical changes, and identify them.
PROCUDURE: Move from station to station and perform each of the mini-experiments by carefully
following the directions posted at that station. Record your data on the table (on the back), use your
observations to determine if a chemical or physical change occurred. Explain why you decided that it is
a chemical or a physical change.
CONCLUSION:
Try to draw a conclusion as to what kind of evidence normally indicates a chemical change. What
indicates a physical change? Explain the difference.

Chemical and Physical Changes in Matter LAB

Matter can be classified in different ways using physical and chemical properties.
Chemical and physical properties must not be confused with chemical and physical changes. Physical
changes refer to a transformation of a substance in which only one or more physical properties change
(usually extensive physical properties). The chemical composition remains the same. Chemical
change refers to the production of new substances which may have physical and chemical properties
different from the original substance.
In this experiment you will investigate the differences between chemical and physical changes in
matter. You will perform several short exercises and observe the changes that occur during each. Then
you will determine if there was a chemical or physical change.
Prepare a data table (or use the one on the back): 1) Show what combined, 2) list the observations, 3)
state whether there was a chemical or physical change and 4) give the reason why you chose your
answer.
PURPOSE: Observe chemical and physical changes.
PROCUDURE: (move from station to station performing the various tasks)
1.

Use tongs to heat a few strands of steel wool in a Bunsen burner flame. (Try re-heating)

2.

Mix a few drops of Barium Nitrate [ Ba(NO3)2 ] with a few drops of Aluminum Sulfate
[ Al2(SO4)3 ] in a test tube, OBSERVE (when finished wash down sink with plenty of water
and clean test tube with a test tube brush)

3.

Place 1 small piece of Magnesium ribbon [Mg(s)] in a few drops of Hydrochloric Acid [HCl].
(deposit solution, which may still be acidic, in the specified waste container)

4.

Use sandpaper or steel wool to shine a spot on a piece of copper (if not already shiney). With
a tongs, heat the small piece of copper [ Cu(s) ] in a Bunsen burner flame until very hot, then
cool under the cold water in the sink. Observe. Clean up, dont leave copper in the sink. Wipe
up any water spills.

5.

Dissolve a very small amount of copper (II) sulfate [ CuSO4 ] in about 1 ml (20 drops) of
water [ H2O ] on an evaporating dish. Stir to dissolve. Add a little more water if needed.
Place evaporating dish on hot plate (keep hot plate at about 6 or lower and carefully heat
until dry. DO NOT OVERHEAT. Observe. Cool and clean. Place waste material in collection
container. (or okay to rinse down sink, add a drop of water to the waste to see what happens)

6.

Add about 20 drops (1 ml) of milk to a test tube. Add an equal amount of lemon juice. Stir
and observe. Wash down sink and clean test tube with a brush.
Place a small amount of sodium bicarbonate [ NaHCO3 ] in a test tube and about 20 drops of
acetic acid [ HC2H3O2 or it can be written as CH3COOH ]. Observe, stir if necessary. Waste
can be washed down the sink.

7.

CONCLUSION:
Try to draw a conclusion as to what kind of evidence normally indicates a chemical change.
What indicates a physical change? Explain the difference.

Station #1
Use tongs to heat a few strands of steel wool in a Bunsen burner
flame.
tease out a few strands so that there is a lot of air between the
strands, put into flame, OBSERVE, try re-heating

Station #2
Mix a few drops of Sodium Carbonate [ Na2CO3 ] with a few drops
of Copper (II) Chloride [ CuCl2 ] in a test tube, OBSERVE (when
finished wash down sink with plenty of water and clean test tube
with a test tube brush)

Station #3
Place 1 small piece of Magnesium [ Mg(s) ] ribbon in a few drops of
Hydrochloric Acid [ HCl ].
Note what magnesium looks and feels like, what properties does it
have?
(CAREFULLY deposit solution, which may still be acidic, in the
specified waste container)

Station #4
Use sandpaper or steel wool to shine a spot on a piece of copper (if
not already shiny). With tongs, heat the small piece of copper
[ Cu(s) ] in a Bunsen burner flame until very, very hot, then cool
under the cold water in the sink. Observe. Clean up, dont leave
copper in the sink. Wipe up any water spills.

Station #5
Dissolve a very small amount of copper (II) sulfate [ CuSO4 ] in
about 1 ml (20 drops) of water [ H2O ] on an evaporating dish. Stir
to dissolve. Add a little more water if needed. Place evaporating
dish on hot plate (keep hot plate at about 6 or lower and
carefully heat until dry. DO NOT OVERHEAT. Observe. Cool and
clean. Place waste material in collection container. (or okay to
rinse down sink, add a drop of water to the waste to see what
happens)

Station # 5
Dissolve a very small amount of copper (II) sulfate [ CuSO4 ] in
about 1 ml (20 drops) of water [ H2O ] on an evaporating dish. Stir
to dissolve. Add a little more water if needed. Place evaporating
dish on hot plate (keep hot plate at about 6 or lower and
carefully heat until dry. DO NOT OVERHEAT. Observe. Cool and
clean. Place waste material in collection container. (or okay to
rinse down sink, add a drop of water to the waste to see what
happens)

Station #6

Add about 20 drops (1 ml) of milk to a test tube. Add and equal
amount of lemon juice. Stir and observe. Wash down sink and
clean test tube with a brush.

Station #7
Place a small amount of sodium bicarbonate [ NaHCO3 ] in a test
tube and about 20 drops of acetic acid [ HC2H3O2 or it can be
written as CH3COOH ]. Observe, stir if necessary. Waste can be
washed down the sink.

Name:_________________ Block:_____ Date:________

Physical vs. Chemical Change
Chemical Reactions
In a physical change, the original substance still exists; it has only changed in form. In a chemical
change, a new substance is produced. Energy changes always accompany chemical changes.
Classify the following as being physical or chemical change.
1.

Sodium Hydroxide dissolved in water.______________

2.

Hydrochloric acid reacts with potassium hydroxide to produce salt, water and
heat._________________

3.

A pellet of sodium is sliced in two.________________

4.

Water is heated to form steam.__________________

5.

Potassium chlorate decomposes to potassium chloride and oxygen gas.________________

6.

Iron rusts.______________

7.

When placed in water, a sodium pellet catches fire as hydrogen gas is given off and sodium
hydroxide forms_____________________

8.

Evaporation_____________

9.

Ice melting___________________

10.

Milk sours___________________

11.

Sugar dissolving in water_________________

12.

Wood rotting____________________

13.

Pancakes cooking on the griddle________________

14.

Grass growing in a lawn___________________

15.

Deflating the air in a tire_____________

16.

Food digesting in the stomach____________

17.

Water absorbed by a paper towel._______________