Physical vs. Chemical Changes: What's the Difference?

Science Grades 5th Grade 5:24 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the fascinating world of physical and chemical changes with this engaging lesson! Learn how to identify them and understand the differences through real-world examples.

Video Resource

Physical and Chemical Changes: Chemistry for Kids - FreeSchool

Free School

Duration: 5:24
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Physical Change: Alters the form or appearance of a substance but doesn't create a new substance.
  • Chemical Change: Results in the formation of a new substance with different properties.
  • Reversibility: Physical changes are often reversible, while chemical changes are usually irreversible.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define physical and chemical changes.
  • Students will be able to identify examples of physical and chemical changes in everyday life.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between physical and chemical changes based on observations.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what changes they've observed recently (e.g., melting ice, leaves changing color). Explain that scientists categorize these changes as either physical or chemical.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the FreeSchool video "Physical and Chemical Changes: Chemistry for Kids." Instruct students to pay attention to the definitions and examples of each type of change.
  • Class Discussion (8 mins)
    After the video, facilitate a class discussion using the provided discussion questions. Encourage students to share their own examples and observations.
  • Interactive Exercise: Change Sorting (10 mins)
    Divide students into small groups and provide them with a list of changes (e.g., cutting paper, burning wood, dissolving sugar, rusting nail). Have them categorize each change as physical or chemical and explain their reasoning.
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts and administer the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank quizzes to assess student understanding.

Interactive Exercises

  • Change Sorting Activity
    Students work in groups to sort different types of changes (e.g., cutting paper, melting ice, burning wood, rusting nail, dissolving sugar) into physical and chemical change categories. They must justify their choices.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some differences you noticed between physical and chemical changes?
  • Can you think of an example of a physical change that can't be easily reversed?
  • What clues can help you determine if a chemical change has occurred?
  • Why is it important to understand the difference between physical and chemical changes?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Classification
  • Scientific Reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is an example of a physical change?

Correct Answer: Melting ice

Question 2:

What happens during a chemical change?

Correct Answer: A new substance is formed.

Question 3:

Which of these clues often indicates a chemical change?

Correct Answer: Production of a gas

Question 4:

Which of the following is usually reversible?

Correct Answer: A physical change

Question 5:

If you cut a piece of paper in half, is that a physical or chemical change?

Correct Answer: Physical change

Question 6:

When metal rusts, what kind of change is taking place?

Correct Answer: Chemical change

Question 7:

Dissolving sugar in water is an example of:

Correct Answer: A physical change

Question 8:

Which of these indicates that heat was released:

Correct Answer: Temperature increasing

Question 9:

Can you 'unbake' a cake?

Correct Answer: No

Question 10:

In a physical change do you end up with the same substance as you started with?

Correct Answer: Yes

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A change that alters the form or appearance of a substance but doesn't create a new substance is called a _______ change.

Correct Answer: physical

Question 2:

A change that results in the formation of a new substance is called a _______ change.

Correct Answer: chemical

Question 3:

Burning wood is an example of a _______ change.

Correct Answer: chemical

Question 4:

Melting ice is an example of a _______ change.

Correct Answer: physical

Question 5:

Fireworks exploding is an example of a _______ change.

Correct Answer: chemical

Question 6:

Changes in state of matter (solid, liquid, gas) are examples of _______ changes.

Correct Answer: physical

Question 7:

Rusting metal is a _______ change.

Correct Answer: chemical

Question 8:

Often, _______ changes are difficult or impossible to reverse.

Correct Answer: chemical

Question 9:

One sign of a chemical reaction is if a _______ is created.

Correct Answer: gas

Question 10:

Digesting food is an example of a _______ change.

Correct Answer: chemical

Educational Standards

5.PS1.4:[Standard] Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances. 5.PS1.3:[Standard] Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

Teaching Materials

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