State of Matter of an Unknown Material
Initial Publication Date: August 2, 2009
Summary
Finding the state of matter of an unknown material, by using household materials as testing agents and recording the information so it can be used as an analysis tool.
CollapseLearning Goals
Students will learn general lab prodedures, as well as data colletion, graph making and data presentaion.
Context for Use
This can be used to help with the properties of different states of matter that exist, and allow students at the middle school level to use general lab procedure and safety protocols. It should be used after students have a list of characteristics for different states of matter.
Description and Teaching Materials
The lesson will be introduced by telling them that you found a new substance in your back yard or space or wherever, and they will need to determine if it is a solid, liquid or gas. The material is made of cornstarch and water, and will be tested with household materials like water, syrup vinegar, and heat.
states of matter handout (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 14kB Aug2 09)
states of matter handout (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 14kB Aug2 09)
Teaching Notes and Tips
With this lab make sure that you leave time for cleanup as it can tend to be messy. The creation of graphs and presentation to the class can be an optional piece, but students will see in different ways and it is good to have this info and present it to the class.
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Assessment
The data can be graded, based on each groups reasoning for conducting a given test as well as how they analyze the data based on their findings. The presentations can be graded on how the graphs have been arranged to show the results of their findings.
Standards
7.2.1.1.1
8.2.1.1.1
8.2.1.1.1