Name: ________________________ Partner’s Name: _________________ Period:

Date: ____________

Chemical and Physical Change LAB

Purpose

By the end of the lab today, you will be able to tell the difference between a chemical
change and a physical change. Think about the following definitions as you rotate
through each station.

Chemical change: an event or reaction that reorganizes the atoms in a

compound
Physical change: an event or reaction that changes the state, phase, or
appearance of a material without reorganizing the atoms in a
compound

What do you think?

Consider the two matches on page 433 of the Active Chemistry text near you. One has
been broken in half and the other is lit on fire.

Which match has undergone a chemical change and which match has undergone a
physical change? Think about your gut reaction and try to put that feeling into words in
the space below.

Read through the following signs of physical and chemical changes

Signs of Physical Change Signs of Chemical Change

 Temperature change
 Size change  Color change
 Shape change  Bubbles (gas evolves)
 Texture change  Smoke appears
 Phase change  Smell change
 Precipitate forms

You will now have the opportunity to explore physical and chemical changes at different
stations with a partner or group. You should reference the textbook (pp 434-435) at
each station as you fill out the table.
You will only have four minutes at each station, so STAY ON TASK!
 Physical and Chemical Changes Data Table

Formation of No Visible
Activity Color Changes Is gas produced? Other Changes Type of Change
Precipitates Change

Melt candle wax

Break wooden
splint

Burn wooden
splint

Add lemon juice to

milk

Add vinegar to
baking soda

Add ammonia to
copper sulfate
Activity/ Station# Formation of No Visible
Color Changes Is gas produced? Other Changes Type of Change
Precipitates Change

Add
phenolphthalein to
NaOH

Add vinegar to
chalk

Boil water

Add salt to water

Sharpen a pencil
and collect
shavings

Write down the signs of physical and chemical changes that you observed in the lab
Signs of Physical Change Signs of Chemical Change
Post-Lab

1. How is a chemical change different from a physical change?

2. Explain why ice melting is a physical change.

3. Do you think an apple that turns brown after you bite into it undergoes a physical change or chemical change?

Conclusion

This is the section of your report where you discuss how the purpose of the activity
relates to the analysis of your data. In other words, what did you learn? Stick to the
facts; do not comment on whether or not you enjoyed the activity. Be specific in your
statements. If the results of the activity were not satisfactory, suggest how the activity
could be improved to give better data. Did the activity raise questions that cannot be
answered with the data you collected? This is the place to mention them. Remember,
conclusions are connections that are not obvious on the surface.

Chemical and Physical Change Homework – Due Tomorrow

Examine the examples below write whether they are chemical or physical changes on
the line to the right of each example.

1. boiling water 4. lighting a match

2. tearing clothes 5. chewing a food
3. tarnishing silver 6. breaking a stick
7. rusting nail
8. burning gas in a stove

9. melting ice cream

10. sawing wood

11. oxidizing food for energy

12. stretching a rubber band

13. cooking an egg

14. baking a cake