Hands On Activity
Big Idea 9: Changes in Matter
Grade 5
Change in Temperature Lab
Adapted from American Chemical Society
Inquiry in Action Activity 5.6
http://www.inquiryinaction.org/download/
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Big Idea 9: Changes in Matter
SC.5.P.9.1 Investigate and describe that many physical and chemical
changes are affected by temperature.
SC.5.N.1.1 Define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to
support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific
investigations of various types such as: systematic observations,
experiments requiring the identification of variables, collecting and
organizing data, interpreting data in charts, tables, and graphics,
analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.
SC.5.N.1.3 Recognize and explain the need for repeated
experimental trials.
SC.5.N.1.6 Recognize and explain the difference between personal
opinion/interpretation and verified observation.
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Change in Temperature Lab
Question to Investigate:
Does changing the amount of calcium chloride
being mixed with a baking soda solution
decrease, increase, or have no effect on the
temperature during their chemical reaction?
What do we need to understand first?
What is calcium chloride?
What is baking soda?
What are they used for?
How can we find out?
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DATA TABLE
Trial #1
Trial #2
Trial #3
Trial #4
Average
Baking soda
solution
temperature
(°C)
Amount of
DampRid
(Calcium
chloride) in
Teaspoon
3 tsp 4 ½
tsp
3 tsp
4½
tsp
3 tsp
4½
tsp
Highest
reaction
temperature
(°C)
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3 tsp
4½
3 tsp 4 ½
tsp
tsp
Conclusion
1. What was investigated?
2. Was your hypothesis supported by the data?
3. What were the major findings?
Conclusion: Sample Responses
1. What was investigated?
How will increasing the amount of calcium chloride (DampRid)
mixed with baking soda solution affect temperature change in
the chemical reaction was investigated.
2. Was your hypothesis supported by the data?
The hypothesis was supported (was not supported) by the
data. Increasing the amount of calcium chloride (DampRid)
will increase the temperature of the chemical reaction.
3. What were the major findings?
In all _____ trials, increasing the amount of calcium chloride
(DampRid) increased the temperature of the chemical reaction.
The average temperature increase for the ___ trials was __ °C.
Application
1. How can the investigation be improved?
2. What are some possible applications of the experiment?
3. What question(s) has your experiment lead you to
ask that could be tested in a new investigation?
Application: Sample Responses
1.
How can the investigation be improved?
Watching out for human error by using better accuracy to
measure the amount of the substances and/or to read the
thermometer. Using cups with a smaller circumference so that the
bulb of the thermometer is submerged deeper.
2. What are some possible applications of the experiment?
Increasing the amount of calcium chloride (DampRid) can
decrease the amount of humidity in a room. The mixing of
calcium chloride (DampRid) and baking soda solution can be used
as a source of heat energy to melt ice on roads. (de-icer)
3. What question(s) has your experiment lead you to ask that could be
tested in a new investigation?
What effect would changing (increasing or decreasing) the amount of
baking soda have on the temperature of a chemical reaction?
Will the rate at which the gas and white precipitate form increase,
decrease, or stay the same as a result of increasing the amount of
DampRid?
1.
Change in Temperature Lab Assessment
Rubric
30 ml
(New investigation)
Writes a conclusion using the CER model.
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CER Conclusion Writing
Does changing the amount of calcium chloride being mixed with
a baking soda solution decrease, increase, or have no effect on
the temperature during their chemical reaction?
Claim: (The answer to the question)
Evidence: (All the evidence you gathered from
hands-on investigations.) The evidence includes the
clues: the data collected and the observations
made.
Reasoning: (Why you think the answer is correct.)
The reasoning explains how the evidence helps
answer the question.
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CER Conclusion Writing: Sample Responses
Question: Does changing the amount of calcium chloride being mixed
with a baking soda solution decrease, increase, or have no effect on
the temperature during their chemical reaction?
Claim:
Increasing the amount of calcium chloride (DampRid) mixed with
baking soda solution increases the temperature of the chemical
reaction between the two substances.
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CER Conclusion Writing: Sample Responses
Evidence:
The data collected in the investigation showed the following
when the amount of calcium chloride being mixed with a
baking soda solution was increased from 3 teaspoons to 4 ½
teaspoons in each of the trials. In trial 1 – the temperature
increased from __ °C to __ °C ; In trial 2… (Record data
collected in each trial). The average of all trials showed a
temperature increase of ___°C when increasing the amount
of calcium chloride from 3 teaspoons to 4 ½ teaspoons.
Additional signs of a chemical change observed included
bubbles and fizzing from the gas being produced and the
formation of a solid white substance in the bottom of the cup.
CER Conclusion Writing: Sample Responses
Reasoning:
An increase in temperature is a sign of a chemical change.
The results from the investigation support the claim that
increasing the amount of calcium chloride (DampRid) mixed
with baking soda solution will increase the temperature of the
chemical reaction. In all of the trials the effect of increasing
the amount of calcium chloride while keeping the amount of
baking soda solution the same increased the temperature of
the reaction an average of _____ °C. This evidence confirms
that changing the test variable when mixing substances can
affect the temperature of the chemical reaction.