NOTE: Check out our episode on Matter to learn more!
NOTE: We have wrote about Physical Changes of Matter. Please check it out!
Matter
Matter is anything that takes up space in the universe. Everything is made of atoms, which are tiny packets of material. Matter comes in three states: solids, liquids, and gases.
What are Chemical Changes?
Chemical changes are changes in the molecular structure of a substance. Usually in a Chemical Change, a new substance is formed. There are a few indicators that tell you that a chemical change has happened:
- Gas is produced (bubbles seen)
- Light is produced
- Change in color
- Change is temperature
- Precipitate formed (leftover substance)
Look for these pointers when you are deciding if a chemical change has happened. There is actually a way to remember if a Chemical Change has occurred. The hint is when you cook something, it is ALWAYS a Chemical Change.
Examples of Chemical Changes
Some examples of Chemical Changes are toasting bread, mixing baking soda and vinegar, fireworks exploding, and burning paper. These all are Chemical Changes.
Try It!
Materials:
baking soda
vinegar
cup/bowl
funnel
Directions: First, pour the baking soda into the cup/bowl. Then, use a funnel to pour the vinegar in with the baking soda. Observe what happened. Ask yourself “Is this a chemical or physical change?”
Also, send us a picture of your experiment! Include a caption that tells us what you have observed! Go to spectacularsci.com/contact to find our email address.