Mixing Liquids to Identify an Unknown Liquid

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

5

Overview

In this lesson, students will be able to plan and carry out an investigation to identify a liquid based on how it interacts with water. Students will also be able to explain, on a molecular level, why different liquids act differently when mixed with water. Students will test the water, salt water, alcohol, and detergent solution.  All the liquids tested are colored yellow. Students will mix these liquids with water that has been colored blue to see if the liquids have a characteristic way of mixing with water. Students will use their results to identify an unknown liquid that is the same as one of the known yellow liquids. The unknown in this lesson is saltwater.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 5

SC15.5.1

Plan and carry out investigations (e.g., adding air to expand a basketball, compressing air in a syringe, dissolving sugar in water, evaporating salt water) to provide evidence that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.

UP:SC15.5.1

Vocabulary

  • Investigation
  • Variable
  • Data
  • Hypothesis
  • Conclusion
  • Matter
  • Describe
  • Observe
  • Evidence
  • Immensely
  • Bulk matter
  • Particle

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Matter is made of particles too small to be seen Matter too small to be seen still exists and may be detected by other means.
  • Gasses are made of matter particles that are too small to see, and are moving freely around in space (this can explain many observations, including the inflation and the shape of the balloon, and the effects of air on larger particles or objects).
  • The behavior of a collection of many tiny particles of matter and observable phenomena involving bulk matter (e.g., an expanding balloon, evaporating liquids, substances that dissolve in a solvent, effects of wind).
  • There is a relationship between bulk matter and tiny particles that cannot be seen.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify the phenomenon under investigation.
  • Identify evidence that addresses the purpose of the investigation.
  • Collaboratively plan the investigation.
  • Collect and analyze the data.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Natural objects exist from the very small to the immensely large.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Science (2015) Grade(s): 5

SC15.5.3

Examine matter through observations and measurements to identify materials (e.g., powders, metals, minerals, liquids) based on their properties (e.g., color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, solubility, density).

UP:SC15.5.3

Vocabulary

  • color
  • hardness
  • reflectivity
  • electrical conductivity
  • thermal conductivity
  • response to magnetic forces
  • solubility
  • density
  • measurement (quantitative and qualitative)
  • data
  • observable properties
  • standard units
  • conductors
  • nonconductors
  • magnetic
  • nonmagnetic

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Materials have different properties-color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity thermal conductivity, solubility, and density.
  • Measurements of a variety of properties can be used to identify materials.
  • Measurements should be made in standard units (e.g., grams & liters).

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify the phenomenon through observations about materials, including color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility.
  • Identify the evidence and collect data about the observed objects in standard units (e.g., grams, liters).
  • Collaboratively plan the investigation.
  • Identify materials based on their properties.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Standard units are used to measure and describe physical quantities of materials such as weight, time, temperature, and volume. These measurements will assist in the identification of the materials ( e.g. powders, metals, minerals, and liquids).

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

American Chemical Society

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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