Name

Instantly Hot and Cold

Read the passage and answer the questions.

Have you ever been injured and used an instant hot or cold pack? Instant
hot and cold packs use a chemical reaction to help you with your sprained
ankle or sore back.
A chemical reaction occurs when two chemical substances mix and form
different substances. Sometimes a chemical reaction releases heat. When a
chemical called calcium chloride is mixed with water, the reaction releases
heat and makes the container feel warm.
Sometimes a chemical reaction absorbs heat from the environment.
When a chemical called ammonium nitrate is mixed with water, the reaction
absorbs heat. The container feels cold.
Instant hot and cold packs are plastic pouches filled with a dry
chemical—usually calcium chloride or ammonium nitrate. Inside the pouch
is another pouch filled with water. When the hot or cold pack is squeezed,
the inner pouch breaks. Shaking the instant pack helps the water mix
completely with the chemical. A chemical reaction occurs, and the instant
pack becomes either hot or cold.

1. You might need a hot or cold pack because ___________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

2. You might use a pack with calcium chloride because __________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

3. You might use a pack with ammonium nitrate because _________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

4. You must squeeze the hot or cold pack to ______________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

5. You must shake a hot or cold pack to __________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

© Carson-Dellosa 10 Cause and Effect • CD-104552