Virtual Lab: Physical or Chemical Change

Background:
Matter can undergo physical and chemical changes. In a physical change, matter changes its appearance
(physical properties) but not its composition. Examples of physical changes include changes of state (between
solid, liquid, and gas phases), making mixtures, and changing size or shape. On the other hand, in a chemical
change, matter does change its composition (new substances are made). For example, the statue of liberty,
which is covered with copper, turned green upon exposure to air because the copper reacts with the gases in
the air to form new compounds.

The following are clues that indicate that a chemical change may have occurred:
● Unexpected color change or odor change
● Formation of gas (bubbles form)
● Formation of a precipitate (solid forms in a liquid - makes it cloudy or chunky)
● Energy change (change in temperature, light, or sound)
Chem
Task:
For each “station,” click on the link. For each, describe the initial appearance and observation of the reaction
during and after.

Station Initial Observations Type of Change - Evidence to back

Appearance of during and after physical or up the type of
component(s) reaction chemical? change

Lead nitrate and One is yellow and Was clear before. Chemical Formation of
potassium iodide one is clear Then became a Precipitate
cloudy brown-green
after

Potassium chlorate One is a liquid Combustion Chemical Combustion

and gummy bear white, and the
other is a solid
red

Copper and nitric acid Brown colored Originally copper Chemical Formation of gas
penny with an off- coated penny had and color change
white liquid the copper
added dissolved turning
the nitric acid green
and producing gas.

chemiluminescence Two transparent The liquids combine Chemical Color change and
liquids and become emission of light
luminous.

Color changing milk Milk and various Dyes added, Physical Expected color
colored dyes followed by soap, change from the
causing the dyes to dyes
spread

Salt crystal garden Brown cardboard Dry toilet paper roll, Physical Crystallization
and unknown after became
liquid covered in salt
 crystals

Combustion of iron in Could Not Watch It

oxygen

Could Not Watch It

Fun with sodium Clear cloudy Clear liquid, forms Physical Crystallization
acetate liquid white crystals when
disturbed

Cold but sublime Clear liquid Clear bubbles froze Physical Crystallization

Aluminum and iodine White Aluminum Mixed aluminum Chemical Gas formed, and
Blueish Iodine and iodine, Adding combustion
water causes
combustion and
colored gas

CER Conclusion:
Make sure you have all your observations completed, type of change selected, and all evidence to support the
type of change recorded before completing the conclusion. You will need to reference the information you
gathered from the stations. This is to be done individually. You will have the same data table as your group
BUT your conclusion should be done on your own.

You will write a conclusion to support which stations were physical changes and which ones were chemical
changes using a CER format and rubric.
● Claim: Write a statement about which stations were physical/chemical changes.
● Evidence: Referring to the evidence you wrote at each station, use the evidence you gathered to support
your claim that a physical/chemical change occurred.
● Reasoning: Using the definition of a physical/chemical change (see first page) describe how you knew
which stations were physical/chemical changes.

The