The Properties of Stuff

Ideas for a Mini-Unit: A Work in Progress

Draft: 7/2/98

Major Concept: Properties of Matter

Content Skills:

Substances have characteristic

Measuring Properties

Calculating/ Graphs

Observation

Collecting/ Recording Data

Using Tools for Measurement

Inferring

Communicating Results

The Challenge

All matter has certain characteristics which allow that substance to be described. These specific characteristics can be observed, measured, and determined, and all are called properties.

The focus of this mini-unit is to use properties to assist in determining the identification of substances. Without an understanding of both physical and chemical properties, the use of materials is limited to trial and error procedures. Consequently, a substanceís properties determine what it is and how it can be used.

Performance Tasks:

Task 1: Learn to determine the density of a solid.

Using the necessary equipment and materials, make the necessary measurements to calculate the density of the following items:

• glass marble
• piece of wood dowel
• small piece of plastic rod
• aluminum rivet
• a lead weight
• 5 pennies (use all 5 at one time)

Display the density of the above materials in a graph which shows mass and volume. Based on what you have learned about the density of these six materials, which would you use to build a boat? Explain why.

Task #2: Learn about the properties of White Stuff

While cleaning out a kitchen cabinet at the lodge your parents rented for a week, you discover four containers with white substances that, at first, seem quite similar. You have also found several empty containers, a roll of masking tape, marker pen, magnifying glass, water and distilled vinegar. Without tasting, determine the differences among the white substances. Then pick one property for each substance that makes it different from the other three. Hypothesize on the identity of each substance.