5 - PS1 - Properties of Matter - FINAL (WND 1/8/2014)

DCI: PS1.A (C) Structure and Properties of Matter – Measurements of a variety of properties can be used to identify materials.

PE: 5-PS1-3 Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

[Clarification Statement: Examples of materials to be identified could include baking soda and other powders, metals, minerals, and liquids. Examples of properties could include color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility; density is not intended as an identifiable property.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include density or distinguishing mass and weight.]

The ideas we see in this standard are:

-measuring properties is a means of identifying materials

-students should be making observations and measurements and identifying materials

-the properties we can use are color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, magnetic force, and solubility. 

-the materials we can use are baking soda (other powders, metals, minerals, and liquids. 

We will have to be careful here, not to have students have to know properties of certain materials.  Even though the clarification statement tells us that we can use these certain materials, it is not necessary for students to have encyclopedic knowledge of each of their properties.  Instead, we can provide a data table of some sort as a reference and then ask students to provide the identity of a substance based on its properties. 

It is probably safe to assume we can as general questions, too, about how properties can be used to find the identity of materials.  

Possible Question Starters:

Information on three similar powders is provided in the table. 

Type of Powder	Color	Soluble in Water	Reacts with Vinegar	Conducts Electricity
Baking Soda	White	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cornstarch	White	Yes	No	No
Talcum Powder	White	Yes	No	Yes

A student believes the identity of an unknown powder is baking soda.  Which of the following tests will be most helpful in confirming the identity of the powder? 

correct answer - adding the powder to vinegar and looking for a chemical change

incorrect answer - looking at the powder under a microscope to see if it is white

"Mohs Hardness Scale is provided. 

Which of the following minerals will scratch Quartz?

correct answer - Corundum

incorrect answers - Orthoclase Feldspar, Apatite, Calcite