SNC 1D1
Name: ______________
Physical and Chemical Properties of Solids
Purpose
To identify a powder based on its physical and chemical properties.
Materials
o eye goggles
o well plate (spot plate)
o small toothpicks for stirring
o small samples of each of the following solid substances:
o icing sugar, cornstarch, aspirin powder, baking soda, baking powder
o test solutions in dropper bottles: water, universal indicator, vinegar and iodine solution
Safety Note
o
Both universal indicator and iodine solution will stain skin and clothing. Please
use care when handling these solutions. Wash them off your skin immediately if you
should spill either on your skin
Due to safety reason, you are NOT ALLOWED TO TASTE any of the white powders
o
Method
1. Obtain a well plate /spot plate from the front of the classroom. If it is dirty, rinse it into the waste
container and dry it with paper towel.
2. Label the spot plate with masking tape, or trace the spot plate onto a piece of blank paper and
label it as shown in the following diagram.
Icing
Sugar
Cornstarch
Aspirin
powder
Baking
soda
Baking
powder
Unknown
Water
Universal Indicator
Vinegar
Iodine
3. Put five small samples (as big as your thumbnail) of icing sugar into the first column of the spot
plate.
4. Observe and record the physical properties of icing sugar.
5. Add three drops of water to the icing sugar well labeled water. Record the chemical properties
displayed if there are any.
6. Repeat step 5 for each testing solution (universal indicator, vinegar, iodine)
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for each additional powder.
8. Rinse the spot plate with water into the waste container pail.
9. Dry with paper towel and again dispose of the paper towel into the waste container pail.
10. Rinse the spot plate in the water container once again.
11. Clean up the workbench area.
Evaluation Rubric
Criteria
A1.
Data Table
Lab Skills
Level 0
Information is
not presented
in a table.
Level 2
Two of the
criteria from
Level 4 are
missing.
Level 3
One of the level 4
criteria is
missing.
Level 4




Criteria include:
Lines of table drawn with ruler, descriptive title included.
Information is presented in a logical manner.
Information is clearly and accurately recorded.
Routinely follows all safety, clean-up and disposal of
waste procedures.
Analyze and evaluate
1. Classify each property investigated in this lab as physical or chemical.
2. How were you able to distinguish between a physical and a chemical property?
3. Use evidence provided by a test to determine the identity of the mystery powder.
4. Which properties, physical or chemical were most useful in identifying the mystery solid?
5. How confident do you feel about your identification of the sample? What improvements would you
suggest for a similar investigation in the future?
Apply and Extend
6. What other physical properties could have helped to identify the mystery powder? Why were these
properties not tested in this activity?
7. You find a puddle of clear, colourless liquid on your driveway. It is either water, vinegar or spilled battery
acid from the car. How can you safely test the liquid to determine its identity? Explain how you can
interpret your observations.