Elements, Compounds, or Mixtures?
Objective
To visualize the difference in composition of elements, compounds, and mixtures.
Materials
 Plenty of mini marshmallows, at least 5 different colors
 small container of toothpicks
 7 clear zip lock bags (3 snack size, 4 gallon size), PRE MARKED
 One large sheet of butcher paper
 labeling pen, markers, colored pencils
Safety
Wash hands thoroughly before building your models. Keep models on paper towel during building. If you
remain hygienic you may eat your models after making your sketches.
PART 1 - Construction
1. Use GREEN marshmallow and toothpicks to make 6 molecules of oxygen (O2) and place in snack
size bag labeled O2, Element. DRAW your model in your journal!
2. Use WHITE marshmallow and toothpicks to make 3 molecules of hydrogen (H2) and place in snack
size bag labeled H2, Element. DRAW your model in your journal!
3. Use RED/PINK marshmallow to make 3 atoms of iron (Fe) and place in snack size bag labeled Fe,
Element. DRAW your model in your journal!
__________________ ANSWER ANALYSIS QUESTION 1 ______________________
4. Use ORANGE and YELLOW marshmallow to make 6 molecules of salt (NaCl) and place in a
gallon size bag labeled Salt (NaCl), Compound. DRAW your model in your journal!
5. Use WHITE and GREEN marshmallow to make 9 molecules of water (H2O) and place in a gallon
size bag labeled Water (H2O), Compound. DRAW your model in your journal!
__________________ ANSWER ANALYSIS QUESTION 2 ______________________
6. Label 1 gallon size bag Salt Water, Mixture. Take 3 molecules of NaCl and 3 molecules of H2O, and
place in bag. DRAW your model in your journal!
7. Label 1 gallon size bag Dissolved Oxygen, Mixture. Take 3 molecules of O2 and 3 molecules of
H2O, and place in bag. DRAW your model in your journal!
__________________ ANSWER ANALYSIS QUESTION 3 ______________________
ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:
Please answer these questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Each group member must copy their
responses into their science journals.
1.
Look at the three bags labeled Element and answer the following questions.
a. What do the three bags have in common?
b. How does each bag represent elements?
2.
Look at the two bags labeled Compound and answer the following questions.
a. What two things do they have in common?
b. How does each bag represent a compound?
3. Look at the two bags labeled Mixtures and answer the following questions.
a. What do they have in common?
b. How does each bag represent a mixture?
4. In your own words, what is the difference between elements, compounds, and mixtures?
Review: Using a large sheet of paper draw a detailed diagram of your notebook sketches.
- Put a complete heading in the upper, right hand corner of your paper.
- Title your large piece of paper, “Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures.”
- Draw a diagram of the contents of each bag onto the large sheet of paper. Make sure that each
of the particles is NEATLY drawn and labeled - e.g., element: oxygen (O2)
- Somewhere on your chart, you are to correctly define each term: element / compound / mixture.
Research and find additional examples of elements, compounds and mixtures
- List these examples under each section of your diagram
- Draw or attach an example and correctly label to include chemical formulas
EXAMPLE:
Name/Period
Elements, Compounds, Mixtures
Element: definition of term from Journal
Compound: definition of term from Journal
Mixture: definition of term from Journal
Analysis (From your journals)
Numbered and answered in complete, meaningful sentences!