SCIENCE
ETO
SUCCESS ACADEMY
DATE: ___________________
Preparing ___________________________ to be a Sensational Scientist.
(Name)
Topic: Physical Properties
Pre-Assessment
1. Physical properties can be used to classify and compare substances. The illustration below shows a
physical property that is being investigated using different materials.
What physical property is most likely being investigated in this illustration?
A. magnetism
B. melting point
C. thermal conductivity
D. electrical conductivity
2. A characteristic property is one that is remains the same regardless of the amount of matter that is
present. Which of the following is a characteristic property of matter?
A.
B.
C.
D.
density
mass
volume
weight
3. The process of passing an electric current through water is known as electrolysis. During electrolysis, the
electric current decomposes water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Why is the electrolysis of water an
example of a chemical change?
A.
B.
C.
D.
An electric current is used.
New substances are produced.
Water undergoes a change in state.
The composition of the original substance remains unchanged.
Classifying materials based on Physical Properties
Scientists often group materials based on physical properties such as magnetism, solubility in water, electrical
or thermal conductivity, and density. In this activity, you would arrange different sets of materials based on
these physical properties.
Part 1. – Magnetism
Test each material to determine whether it is attracted to a magnet or not. Write the material in the appropriate
box.
Attracted to magnet
Unaffected by magnet
*What is similar about all the materials attracted to the magnet?
Part 2. – Solubility
Add 200 mL of water to each cup or beaker. Then, add 1 spoonful of a different substance to each container.
(Example: 1 spoonful of sugar in one cup, 1 spoonful of salt in another cup, etc.) Group the materials as
soluble, partially soluble or insoluble
Soluble
Partially soluble
Insoluble
Part 3 – Conductivity
Materials that allow the passage of an electrical current will cause the bell to ring and are considered electrical
conductors. Materials that DO NOT allow the passage of an electrical current are insulators and will NOT
cause the light to illuminate when placed between the two contacts on the switch (Before testing the sugar
water and salt water from part 2, dissolve an additional spoonful in each cup.)
Part 4 – Density
Using the formula D = m/V, find the density of various metal blocks.
Arrange the metal blocks in order from least dense to most dense.
Separating parts of a mixture
SC.8.P.8.4 - Classify and compare substances on the basis of characteristic physical properties that can be
demonstrated or measured; for example, density, thermal or electrical conductivity, solubility, magnetic properties,
melting and boiling points, and know that these properties are independent of the amount of the sample.
SC.8.P.8.9 - Distinguish among mixtures (including solutions) and pure substances. (Assessed as SC.8.P.8.5)
In this investigation, you will…
• Make and identify mixtures and solutions.
• Separate mixtures and solutions using physical properties.
Materials:
•
•
•
•
Gravel (cup G)
Sand (cup S)
Salt – NaCl (cup NaCl)
Iron filings (cup Fe)

•
•
Wood pieces (cup W) – Broken
segments of toothpicks works
Water (in the beaker)
Spoon
Procedures:
1. Gather the materials listed above.
2. Pour the salt into the water. Using the spoon, stir the water.
a. Record your observations.
__________________________________________________________________
b. How can you best describe the combination of salt and water?
__________________________________________________________________
3. One at a time, add the remaining materials to the salt water.
a. Summarize your observations as you added each material.
__________________________________________________________________
b. How can you best describe the combination of all the materials?
__________________________________________________________________
4. Using knowledge of physical properties, separate the mixture into the original components. We
may not be able to isolate one of the six materials.
5. Record the steps your group took to separate each material. Then, identify the physical
property used to separate each material and explain how a physical property allows for the
separation a component of the mixture in the table on the next page.
POST ASSESSMENT
1. After a chemical reaction occurs in an open test tube, measurements indicate that the mass of the
reactants is greater than the mass of the products remaining in the test tube. What most likely explains
the measurements?
A A gas was produced.
B A solid was produced.
C The salinity of the reactants was high.
D The temperature of the reactants was low.
2. This chart describes an experiment using a sample of water and three solids made of different
substances.
Which property of water is being tested?
A solubility
B conductivity
C polarity
D density
3. The state of matter is an example of a physical property. Why is the state of matter considered
a physical property even though a substance may change between a solid, liquid, and gas?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The property can be easily observed.
The chemical nature of the substance does not change.
The state of matter depends on the amount of substance present.
Solids, liquids, and gases have different chemical compositions from one another.