Physical and Chemical Changes

Recently in science class, we have been studying physical and chemical changes. Along with learning about these two topics, we have completed some labs to give us a better understanding. The labs that we have been completing are named Marshmallow Fun, Observing a Candle, Pouring a Gas, and Observing the Changes in Matter. All of these labs that we have finished, proved the changes in matter, and are extremely intriguing.


In the first lab named Marshmallow Fun, we have taken a small, and large marshmallow and examined them, and listed their physical properties. The small marshmallow was eaten while the large marshmallow was being burned. When the marshmallow was being burned, the outside of the marshmallow turned black. This was a chemical change because burning falls under a chemical change. The marshmallow was still a solid after being burned, but the molecules spreat out. If this kept going on, it would later become a liquid.


The next lab, was observing the changes of a small candle. When the candle was lit, it was shrinking and melting because of the fire, so it was burning. The change was called sublimation because it went from a solid, to a gas. While the candle was being burned it let off a new substance which was a gas.

The lab after that was watching the chemical reaction with a gas and fire. While the candle was burning, I mixed a beaker of vinegar and baking soda. When it was mixed, it imediatly caused a reaction where it overflowed with the substance. Then, we held the beaker up to the candle and the flame went out, this was because of the new substance it created. The substance the vinegar and baking soda created was carbon dioxide. Since a flame needs oxygen to burn, the carbon dioxide blocked off the oxygen and the flame went out.

The final lab we did was watching the reaction with burning sugar. We placed crushed up sugar cubes in a beaker and watched what happened when placed on the flame of the bunsen burner. What happened was the sugar started to boil and steam was coming out the top of the test tube. The sugar also changed color when it was being burned. We were advised to set the test tube down and as we did, the sugar filled up the test tube. It was then broken, and the sugar was crystalized and black.

All of these labs were great in helping the understanding of chemical and physical changes in matter.