Lab: Physical and Chemical Properties
Introduction
In this experiment, you will examine a variety of substances and describe the physical properties of each. You will then cause changes to take place using some of the substances. Based on your observations and the results of the tests you will conduct, you will decide whether these changes are physical or chemical.
Materials
Magnesium
Iron filings
Salt
Flour
Sand
Paper
Iodine
Alka-Seltzer
1 M HCl
0.1 M NaOH
0.1 M FeCl
3
Magnets
Magnifying glasses
Forceps
Test tubes and racks
Wood splints/spoons
Hot plates
Plastic pipets
Funnels
Glass rods
Tongs
Thermometer
Filter paper
Beakers
(50 mL)
Beakers
(100mL)
Watchglasses
Bunsen burners
Procedure
Part I: Physical Properties of Matter
1.
Obtain 5 small pieces of paper. Using a wooden splint or spoon, transfer a small amount (pea-sized) of each of the following substances to separate pieces of paper: iron, salt, flour, sand. Using a forceps (tweezers), transfer 1 piece of magnesium (Mg) to the last piece of paper.
2.
Examine each substance carefully. Use the magnifying glass. Record your observations for color and texture in Data Table 1.
3.
Transfer the samples on the pieces of paper to test tubes by bending the paper and allowing the sample to pour into the tube. Put some tap water in a small beaker, and use a pipet to transfer approximately 3 mL of water to each tube. Mix each sample by tapping the tube gently against the palm of your hand, as demonstrated by your teacher. NEVER use your thumb as a cork! Record your observations for the solubility of each substance (ability to dissolve) in water in Data Table 1. Pull the magnesium ribbon out with the forceps and save it for later. Rinse test tubes out in the sink. Throw out the pieces of paper.
Part II: Physical and Chemical Changes
4.
Sand and salt: Using a plastic spoon, transfer pea-sized amounts of sand and salt to a 100 mL beaker. Add water so that beaker is about 1/4 full. Stir thoroughly with a glass rod.
Fold filter paper according to your teacher’s instructions, and dampen outside edges slightly. Place filter paper in funnel. Place a 50 mL beaker under the funnel. While holding funnel, pour sand/salt/water mixture into the funnel, and catch the filtrate in the beaker.

Once all the liquid has drained into the beaker, place the beaker on the hot plate.
Turn it on high and boil all the water away. (Go on to Step 5 while waiting.)
Examine both the residue on the filter paper and the residue in the beaker, and record observations. Throw away filter paper and rinse all glassware.
5.
Sand and iron: Using a plastic spoon, transfer pea-sized amounts of sand and iron to a petri dish. Stir to mix. Run a magnet under the petri dish. Record observations.
6.
Flour and iodine: Place a small amount of flour on a small piece of paper. Then add a few drops of iodine to the flour. Record your observations in Data Table 2.
Throw away the piece of paper.
7.
Alka-Seltzer and water: Fill a 50 ml beaker half full with water. Measure the temperature of the water and record. While holding the thermometer in the beaker, drop in 1 tablet of Alka-Seltzer and observe the temperature change.
Record final temperature and other observations. Rinse out beaker in the sink.
8.
Magnesium and hydrochloric acid: Using the forceps, transfer a piece of magnesium to a test tube. Then add 5 mL of hydrochloric acid (HCl). Observe closely; feel the bottom of the tube. Record your observations. Rinse the test tube out in the sink.
9.
Burning of magnesium: Obtain a piece of magnesium. Light the Bunsen burner.
Grasping the magnesium with the tongs (NOT forceps!), hold it in the flame until it ignites. DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE BURNING MAGNESIUM!
Once the magnesium ignites, remove it from the flame and hold it over a watchglass the lab counter. Record observations. Rinse watchglass.
10.
Sodium hydroxide and iron (III) chloride: Obtain 5 mL of sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) in a test tube. Slowly pour 3 mL of iron (III) chloride solution
(FeCl
3
) into the same test tube. Hold test tube up against a light surface and record observations. Rinse the test tube out in the sink.
Cleanup: Dispose of any used paper in the trash can. Rinse out any dirty glassware.
Clean off your lab table. WASH YOUR HANDS.

Sand and salt
Sand and iron:
Name ______________________
Per. ____
Physical and Chemical Properties Lab
Data Tables
Data Table I: Physical Properties
Substance Color Texture Solubility in water
Iron filings (Fe)
Salt
Flour
Sand
Magnesium (Mg)
Data Table II: Physical/Chemical Changes
Task Description of materials before and after change
Physical or
Chemical
Change?
Reason for Decision
Before:
After: (at the very end of step 4)
Before:
After:

Flour and iodine
Alka-Seltzer and water
Before:
After:
Magnesium and hydrochloric acid
Burning of magnesium
Sodium hydroxide and iron(III) chloride
Initial Temp: ______ o
C
Final Temp: ______ o
C
Other observations:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:

Name ______________________
Per. ____
Physical and Chemical Properties Lab
Questions/Conclusions
1. List the 5 signs that a chemical change (reaction) has occurred.
Hint: all 5 should be recorded at least once in Data Table 2. Do you have them all listed in your data table?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2.
Refer to the sand and salt procedure, step 4. What is the material left in the beaker after all the water has boiled away?
3.
Sand and salt differ in a physical property that made it possible to separate them in this lab. What is that physical property? How did the sand and salt differ?
4.
State in your own words the difference between a physical change and a chemical change. List an example of each. (not from this experiment)