Chemistry 13

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Properties of Matter

Matter has both physical and chemical properties. Examples of physical properties include color, volume, melting and boiling point, odor, and hardness. A pure substance can be described in terms of its chemical properties. Some examples of chemical processes we see and experience around us are the rusting of various metals, the digestion of food, and the release of energy during the chemical conversion (combustion) of gasoline in our cars.  Earth science students review physical properties  of minerals in Minerals of the Earth (Earth Science topic 17).  Biology students investigate chemical change through how the digestive system converts food into energy for the human body in Physiology (Biology topic 42). Chemistry students learn to recognize types of change (physical and chemical) such as these examples, along with the properties of matter and its potential.


Lesson 1 (or “Day 1”) Material
Lesson 2 (or “Day 2”) Material
Lesson 3 (or “Day 3”) Material
Lesson 4 (or “Day 4”) Material

 

4:52 States of Matter

4:11 What Is Plasma | Chemistry for All | FuseSchool

5:42 What is density?

 


Compare Contrast and Debate

Kick-Off Debate Background: Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter, while the others are solid, liquid, and gas. Unlike these three states of matter, plasma does not naturally exist on Earth under normal surface conditions, and can only be artificially generated from neutral gases. The term was first introduced by chemist Irving Langmuir in the 1920s. Some elementary textbooks only introduce solid, liquid and gas. This is partially due to the complexity of understanding plasma.

  • Position A: Elementary school text books should avoid including “plasma” as one of the “states of matter” – it is too complex.
  • Position B: Elementary school text books should always include “plasma” as one of the “states of mater” – regardless of its complexity.

Resources Documents and Links

Notes and Notices

Instructor Emphasis:

  • Science & Engineering Practice: Engage in scientific argument from evidence.
  • Cross-Cutting Concept: Stability and Change.