Name:_______________________________Period:_________________
Lab: Twizzlers
Problem: Can the physical properties of a Twizzler be measured using qualitative
and quantitative observations?
Research – Background Info:
A property of matter is a characteristic or trait of
an object. A property of matter describes the matter
and what it is or is not. We will discuss two kinds of
properties: physical properties and chemical
properties.
Physical properties of matter can be observed
and measured without destroying the type of matter.
The matter can be changed in size, shape, or state, but
the type of matter stays the same. Think about the
phase change lab we did earlier. The matter was still
water even when it changed from ice to liquid water to
steam. Phase change or a state of matter change is a
physical property.
Physical properties can be described in two ways.
1. Qualitative Observation – observation made using senses to
describe the properties
*Qualitative Observations are not exact.
-The ball is blue.
Is it navy blue, sky blue, royal
blue, or another color of blue?
-The person is tall.
How tall is tall?
2. Quantitative Observation – observation made using
measurements to describe the properties.
*Quantitative observations are exact because
measuring tools are used.
Chemical Properties of matter can only be
observed by having the matter undergo a chemical
change.
To see if vinegar and baking soda will react, you
have to put the vinegar and baking soda together.
When the vinegar and baking soda react, they change
into new substances, and the vinegar and baking soda
do not exist any longer. Instead, sodium acetate,
water, and carbon dioxide gas are made from the
rearrangement of the atoms in the vinegar and baking
soda.
Whenever the new substances are formed, the mass
of matter stays the same because matter can not be
created or destroyed. Only the atoms and molecules
are rearranged to make another type of matter.
Experiment:
Materials:
One Twizzler
Ruler
Balance
Clean tissues
Procedure:
1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. If you are sick, please do not touch the Twizzler.
3. Put a clean tissue on the table. Your Twizzler will go on the tissue. We are
trying to keep it germ free so that you can eat it when we are done.
4. Identify the color of the Twizzler. Record the information on the data table .
5. What shape is the Twizzler? Record the information on the data table.
6. What does the Twizzler smell like? Record the information on the data table.
7. Texture is how something feels. What is the texture of the Twizzler? Record the
information on the data table.
8. Use the ruler and measure the length of the Twizzler. Record the information on
the data table.
9. Diameter is the distance from one side to another across the middle. Use the
ruler and measure the diameter of the Twizzler. Record the information on the
data table.
10. Use the balance and measure the mass of the Twizzler. Record the information
on the data table.
11. Ductibility is the ability of an object to stretch without breaking. How ductile
is the Twizzler?
12. Calibrate the balance.
13. Put a tissue on the balance.
14. Put the Twizzler on the balance on top of the tissue.
15. Find the mass of the Twizzler. (We are going to ignore the mass of the
tissue.) Record the information on the data table.
16. DO NOT TOUCH the riders on the balance. Leave them where they are.
Record the information on the data table.
17. Break the Twizzler into an even number of pieces and put the pieces back on
the balance. Record the information on the data table.
18. You may eat the Twizzler as you finish answering the questions.
19. .
Property
Observation
color
shape
smell
texture
Length
diameter
Ductibility
Mass
Mass after
breaking into
pieces
Analyze Data:
color, shape, smell, texture,
1. Identify all qualitative properties from the data table.__
ductibility _
2. Identify all quantitative properties from the data table.__
length, diameter, mass, mass
after breaking into pieces
3. Are the properties you just observed about the Twizzler physical or chemical properties?_
physical__
The kind of matter making up Twizzler was not changed.
Physical properties are observed by not changing the matter into
another type of matter. _____________
Explain.___
4. Why did the mass of the Twizzler stay the same?________________________________________________
Law of Conservation of Matter – matter was not added or taken
away from the twizzler – the twizzler was just broken into pieces
5. Would qualitative or quantitative properties be more useful to scientists?__
quantative __
Anyone should be able to measure the properties and have the
same answer. The qualitative properties might not be the same for
all observers; people might not see the same color. _________
Explain._
Conclusion: Write a one paragraph summary of this lab. Do NOT use the
conclusion template usually used.
We measured the __________________ properties of a
Twizzler using qualitative and quantitative observations.
___________________ properties were measured because the kind
of matter in the Twizzler _________________________________
______________________________________________________.
Qualitative observations were (use data)______________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
because_______________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
Quantitative observations were (use data)____________________
_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
because ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
The mass of the Twizzler before breaking into pieces and after
breaking into pieces was _______________________________
because _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________.
This lab showed ________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
because _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
Must include:
-Thesis (based on problem)
-physical properties, not chemical were observed (matter was not
changed to make observations)
-specific qualitative properties observed and why (color, shape,
smell, texture, ductibility – not everyone will agree about these
observations – used senses)
-specific quantitative properties observed and why (length,
diameter, mass, mass after breaking into pieces – everyone should
be able to make the measurements that are the same within a small
range – used measurement tools)
-Law of Conservation of Matter (mass before and after breaking
was the same because matter was not added or taken away)
-concluding sentence (This experiment showed…)