Investigate whether mixing substances creates something new

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5th Grade Science › Investigate whether mixing substances creates something new

Questions 1 - 10
1

What is a mixture?

A combination of two or more substances

The one thing that will be changed to be tested in the experiment

A controlled condition where variables are explored to determine an outcome

A measure of the total area that the surface of an object occupies

Explanation

A mixture is when two or more substances are combined to create something new. The substances can remain separate like a salad or trail mix, but still, something new is formed. Another type of mixture is a solution when one substance dissolves into another like salt being stirred into water.

2

Which of the following are substances?

all of these

none of these

wood

water

chemicals

Explanation

The answer is "all of these."

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

3

Sarah has a big box where she keeps her toys. She has all kinds of toys: wooden horses, plastic legos, dolls, stuffed animals, and even metal race cars! When Sarah plays, she puts everything out on the carpet, and when she cleans up she puts them all back in her big box. When Sarah was cleaning up yesterday, she saw that one of her race cars was orange and rusty! Her grandma said it's because it got wet. Which of the answer choices is NOT true about Sarah and her big box of toys?

When Sarah puts all her toys in the box, it makes a new substance.

Sarah's toys are made of many different substances.

Sarah can easily separate her toys when they are mixed up in the box.

Sarah's race car had a new substance on it (rust) after it got wet.

Explanation

The answer is "When Sarah puts all her toys in the box, it makes a new substance."

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

4

What happens when you mix two substances?

you create something new

you don't create something new

you might or might not create something new

a chemical reaction takes place

Explanation

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

5

Sydnie is making a sand castle on the beach. She mixes water with her sand to make sure it's wet enough to mold into the shapes she wants. Is Sydnie making a new substance when she mixes sand and water? How do you know?

No, Sydnie is not making a new substance because only the shape of the sand and water changes.

No, Sydnie is not making a new substance because the sand changes colors.

Yes, Sydnie is making a new substance because the sand and water are mixed together.

Yes, Sydnie is making a new substance because there is no way to un-mix the sand and water.

Explanation

The answer is "No, Sydnie is not making a new substance because only the shape of the sand and water changes."

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

6

Which of the pictures represents how substances can be combined to create an entirely new substance?

9b9ab440 de54 e2de 4e4174949244830b

Chocolate chip cookies 1

Activity 1  particle size  image 2

none of these

all of these

Explanation

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

7

True or False: A mixture involving liquid cannot be separated.

True

False

Explanation

Many people have the misconception that once a substance has been mixed into a liquid that it cannot be separated. When something like salt is stirred into water, it seems to disappear, so the thought of separating it can be hard to imagine. There is no way to sift the salt out or remove the salt pieces with forceps. If the water is set in the sunlight, it will begin to evaporate and leave behind the salt that was mixed in.

8

Students in a science class mix together pepper and water. What type of change is made to materials when they are mixed?

A physical change

A chemical change

Explanation

The students in the class created a new substance when they mixed the water and pepper, but the change is only physical. The pepper can be separated from the water, and there is no permanent change to either substance. There was no change in smell or color, and no new substance was formed as in a chemical change.

9

Which answer choice(s) is an example of a mixture?

Trail mix

A closet of clothes

Smoke

All of the answer choices are correct

None of the answer choices are correct

Explanation

All of the answer choices are examples of mixtures. Smoke is a mixture of ash and air, trail mix is a mixture of all of the different ingredients (raisins, peanuts, chocolate chips, etc.), and a closet of clothes is a mixture of varying clothing types (pants, dresses, skirts, shirts, hats, etc.). All of these answer choices have at least two substances that are mixed to form something new.

10

Edmund wants to separate a mixture back into its original parts. Which answer choice describes an action that separates the components of a mixture?

Burning a log

Cutting paper

Sharing a drink with friends

Sifting sand from rocks

Explanation

Separating a mixture is a way to reverse the creating of something new. If sand and rocks were mixed, a mixture was made with the two substances. It can be changed, and the mixture separated if the stones and sand are sifted. The small grains of sand will fall through the sifter leaving the rocks on top and separated.

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