Marilou A.

Elbo Subject: Chemistry

MaEd Science Report: Chapter I Composition of Matter

INTRODUCTION of Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter and so it is important to be able to understand the properties of matter and to classify
matter based on type. All samples of matter have both physical and chemical properties, and thus can undergo physical
and chemical changes. Classifications of matter include elements, compounds, and mixtures. Careful observation of
changes in matter must be made in order to determine if each change is physical or chemical in nature.

*Chemistry: The study of the composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes.

* Inorganic chemistry: Branch of chemistry that is the study of chemicals that do not, in general, contain carbon.
* Organic chemistry: Branch of chemistry that is the study of carbon-containing chemicals.

Matter : Anything that has weight and occupies space is called matter.

Any sample of matter can be described in part by its physical properties, those that can be observed or measured without
altering the substance. Physical properties can be extensive or intensive, depending on whether the property is
dependent on the amount of matter in the sample. States of matter are an important physical property. A change to a
sample of matter that does not alter its identity is a physical change.

Common Misconceptions
Students often have trouble understanding that dissolving a substance in water is a physical change and not a chemical
change. To emphasize this point, you can completely dissolve some salt into a beaker of water. Pour the salt water
solution into an evaporating dish and heat with a Bunsen burner. Show the students that the salt is left behind when the
water is boiled away. Some students misunderstand that the identity of a substance is not altered by a change of state.
In particular, emphasize that the boiling of water (or any substance) simply spreads the molecules apart from one
another. It does not break chemical bonds. Molecular models may be useful to make this point.

Science Inquiry Density

A solid should have the particles packed together in an orderly arrangement.

A liquid, should have the particles be close together, but more random.
The gas should have the particles spread far apart.

States of matter: Solids: A solid has a definite shape and volume. Examples of solids include ice (solid water), a bar of
steel, and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide).
Liquids: A liquid has a definite volume, but takes the shape of its container. Examples of liquids include water and oil.
Gases: A gas has neither a definite volume nor a definite shape. Examples of gases are air, oxygen, and helium.
Plasma is recognized as fourth state of matter.
Interconversion of three states of matter:
1. Melting : Change of substance from solid state to liquid state.
2. Evaporation or boiling: Change of substance from liquid state to gaseous state. Transpiration is the evaporation of
water into the atmosphere from the leaves and stems of plants
3. Condensation : change of substance from gaseous state to liquid state.
4.Freezing or solidification : change of substance from liquid state to solid state.
Kinetic Theory of Matter
Change of state of matter on the basis of Kinetic theory of Matter
Law of conservation of mass: matter can neither be created nor destroyed.
Points to Consider
• A mixture is different from a pure substance because it does not have a uniform and definite composition.
• Pure substances include both elements and compounds.
QUESTIONS:
• Can mixtures be further classified into more than one type?
• How are compounds different than elements?

Sample Answers • Yes, homogeneous and heterogeneous • Compounds are two or more elements that have been
chemically combined.

All matter can be characterized as either a pure substance or a mixture. Mixtures may be either homogeneous or
heterogeneous. Parts of a mixture can be separated from one another by physical means such as filtration or distillation.
A pure substance has a fixed composition and can either be a compound or an element. Compounds can only be broken
down into their elements by a chemical change. Chemical symbols and chemical formulas are used by chemists to
represent elements and compounds.

TERMINOLOGY
• Mixture: A physical blend of two or more components, each of which retains its own identity and properties in
the mixture.
• Heterogeneous mixture: A mixture in which the composition is not uniform throughout the mixture.
• Homogeneous mixture: A mixture in which the composition is uniform throughout the mixture
• compound: A substance that contains two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion.
• element: The simplest form of matter that has a unique set of properties
• distillation: Method of separating a mixture based on differences in boiling points.
• filtration: A technique that separates the solid from the liquid in a heterogeneous mixture

Some students have difficulty understanding the difference between a compound and a mixture. Ask them what two
gases make up most of our atmosphere (nitrogen and oxygen). Write some of the formulas for various nitrogen oxides on
the board (NO, NO2, N2O) and discuss how it is very fortunate for living things that the nitrogen and oxygen in air do not
react and are instead simply a mixture. Ask them if they can think of a natural event that causes nitrogen and oxygen to
chemically react (lightning strikes).
BLACK MAGIC
• What is Chromatography? Chromatography is a laboratory method that is widely used for the separation,
identification, and determination of chemical components of a complex mixture. More specifically,
chromatography separates compounds based on differences in their structure, size, and/or composition

Points to Consider
In a chemical reaction, one or more substances are changed into different substances. • How are chemical changes
different from physical changes?
• What are the visual clues that a chemical reaction is taking place?

Sample Answers • Chemical changes alter the identity of the substance involved, while physical changes do not.
• Changes in color, production of a gas, production of a solid precipitate, change in temperature

Changes in Matter

Chemical properties of a substance describe the ability of that substance to undergo chemical reactions with other
substances. When a chemical reaction occurs, reactants are converted into products. Evidence that a chemical reaction is
occurring includes a color change, the production of a gas, the production of a precipitate, or a transfer of energy.

• Terminology

chemical property: Describes the ability of a substance to undergo a specific chemical change. • chemical reaction:
Process that occurs when one or more substances is changed into one or more new substances. • precipitate: Solid
product that forms from a reaction and settles out of a liquid mixture. • product: Substance that is present at the end of
a chemical reaction. • reactant: Substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction.

Physical and Chemical Changes

Physical changes occur without any changes in composition. In other words, no new substances appear as a result of the
change. This could be demonstrated by the crushing of rock salt or ripping paper into pieces.

On the other hand, when chemical changes take place, a change in composition also occurs. Basically, one or more new
substances appear as a result of the change. This could be demonstrated with adding food coloring to water and then
adding bleach drop-wise to the mixture until the dye is de-colorized.

Station #1 Vinegar and Baking Soda – chemical change – gas production Put about 1 cm of vinegar into a test tube. Then
use a stick to put a SMALL (about ½ cm long on the stick) amount of baking soda into the tube. After your observations
are complete, pour the test tube contents into the sink, and rinse the test tube with water before putting it back into the
rack.

Station #2 Iodine on a Potato – chemical change – color change Cut a SMALL fresh slice from the potato. Use a dropper
to put 3-4 drops of iodine solution on the potato slice. After your observations are complete, throw away the used slice of
potato into the trash can! NOTE: iodine solution can be obtained at a drugstore in the first aid section as Tincture of
Iodine

Station #3 Salt – physical change – dissolving of a solid Fill a test tube about ¼ full with tap water. Use a spoon handle to
add ½ cm (long on the stick) of salt to the water. Shake the test tube gently until the salt dissolves. When you have
completed your observations, pour the test tube contents into the sink, and rinse the test tube with water before putting
it back into the rack. NOTE: You may want to evaporate the water in a demonstration to show the salt remains, or have
them taste the water to prove the salt is still present.
Station #4 Seltzer Tablet – chemical change – gas production Fill a test tube about ¼ full with tap water. Put a small piece
of crushed seltzer tablet into the water in the test tube. When you have completed your observations, pour the test tube
contents into the sink, and rinse the test tube with water before putting it back into the rack.

Station #5 Ice – physical change – phase change Put 2 or 3 small pieces of ice into a test tube and observe what happens
as the solid ice turns to a liquid. When you have completed your observations, pour the test tube contents into the sink
and rinse it before returning it back to the rack.

Station #6 Matches – chemical change – gas production, light, heat Strike a match and watch it as it burns. Blow the
match out before it burns your fingers. When your observations are completed, rinse the used match in tap water and
dispose of it in the waste basket.