Unit #3
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
7th Science
Core Content 4.1
SC-07-1.1.1
Students will:
 classify substances according to their chemical/reactive properties;
 infer real life applications for substances based on chemical/reactive properties.
In chemical reactions, the total mass is conserved. Substances are often classified into groups if they
react in similar ways. The patterns which allow classification can be used to infer or understand real life
applications for those substances.
DOK 3
LEARNING TARGETS
IN THIS UNIT…
SC-7-STM-S-1
Students will compare the physical and chemical properties of a variety of substances, including
examples of solids, liquids and gases
SC-7-STM-S-2
Students will distinguish between elements and compounds and classify them according to their
properties.
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Students will generate investigable questions and conduct experiments or non-experimental research to
address them
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Students will observe reactions between substances that produce new substances very different from the
reactants
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Students will test factors that influence reaction rates
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Students will explore real-life applications of a variety of elements and compounds and communicate
findings in an authentic form (transactive writing, public speaking, multimedia presentations)
Essential Questions
 What is the difference between chemical and physical properties?
 How will I know chemical reactions are taking place? How can I influence a
chemical reaction?
 How can understanding the properties of elements help us predict
properties of compounds?
 What is the Periodic Table and what can it tell us?
 How can understanding chemistry help me in my life?
Essential Vocabulary
Periodic Table of Elements an arrangement of chemical elements in order of atomic number that groups
elements with common characteristics in the same area of the table
Compounds matter that is made of two or more elements and has physical and chemical properties
different from each of the elements that make it up
Elements substance that contains only one type of atom and cannot be broken down by normal chemical
or physical means – for example: oxygen, aluminum, iron
Electrons negatively-charged particles that move around the nucleus of an atom and form an electron
cloud
Protons positively-charged particle that is locate4d in the nucleus of an atom
Neutrons particle without an electrical charge that is located in the nucleus of an atom
Subatomic particles what makes up an atom: electrons, protons and neutrons
Decomposition the separation of a chemical substance into simpler chemical substances and the
elements that it is made of (decomposition of water would be oxygen and hydrogen)
Mixture a combination of substances in which the individual substances do not change or combine
chemically but instead retain their own individual properties. Can be gases, liquids, solids, or any
combination of them
Valence Electron Valence electrons are electrons that can participate in chemical bonds with other
atoms to make compounds. They are the outermost electrons in the electron orbit. Valence electrons
determine the properties of a particular element
Electron Dot diagram This includes the symbol for the element surrounded by dots. The dots represent
valence electrons.
Physical Property characteristics that do not change matter.
Chemical Property describe how a substance changes into a new substance.
Chemical reaction the process a substance undergoes in order to change into a new substance.
Mass the amount of matter in an object (g)
Volume the amount of space taken up by an object (ml, cm3)
Density how much mass there is in a certain volume D=m/v