Properties of Matter

Part 1: Characteristic Properties of Matter

1. Content Standards (6-8)

PS2A Use characteristic intrinsic properties such as density…to identify an unknown substance.

APPD Research how others have solved similar problems.

INQF Generate a scientific conclusion…using inferential logic…

2. Concepts

3. Lesson Set-Up and Management

Materials:

Inquiry 2.1: You may want to have a short discussion with students on proper handling of the electronic balances. Review with students your procedure for working with a balance. **Students want to place objects on the balance that exceed the balance capacity.
Inquiry 2.2: Students are tempted to carve into the wax blocks used in this lesson. Remind students that carving into the blocks affects the overall volume of the object.
Inquiry 2.3: Advise students to slightly tip the graduated cylinder when dropping in the copper cylinder and steel screw. In this way, splashing (which can lead to loss of mass/volume) is avoided. **Also, the steel screw should not be inserted pointy-end first as it can crack the graduated cylinder.


2.3 Volume of Copper	2.3 Volume of Steel

4. Teacher Tips:

5. Literacy Support

Writing Support:

Getting Started: Students are asked to record their initial ideas about mass and volume and then revisions of their ideas after a class discussion.

Reading Support:

Density as a Characteristic Property: This reading helps students gain an initial understanding as to why it is important to determine the properties of any substance and how some properties can help us identify substances.
Archimedes Crowning Moment: This reading helps students picture the idea of displacement and how objects of similar mass can have different volumes (therefore different densities.) This reading can be used as an introduction to Inquiry 2.3 where students measure volume of irregular objects.

Math Support:

Useful Calculations: This reading lays out all formulas necessary for calculations in Inquiries 2.1-2.3 in concrete terms. It may be helpful to read and discuss this section before and after completing the inquiries.
Mass or Weight: This reading describes the difference between mass and weight and the units used to measure these properties. Common misconceptions about these measurements are addressed.

Last updated 12/14/2010