Question
Mrs. Young's class is planning an investigation to determine the chemical properties of matter. The students will be given the following items to complete their investigations: aluminum, baking soda, salt, sugar, Alka-Seltzer tablets, ammonia, vinegar, matches, hydrogen peroxide, Popsicle sticks, paper, nails, water, and wax candles.
Which investigation will BEST allow the students to compare chemical properties of matter?
A.
Investigation #1
1.
Fill three beakers: one with hydrogen peroxide, one with ammonia, and one with vinegar.
2
Observe the color of the original substances in the beakers and record the results. Warm each substance to boiling and record the boiling point of each.
3.
Using three new beakers, combine equal parts of ammonia and vinegar in one, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in one, and vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in one.
4.
Observe the color of the substances when combined in the beakers and record the results. Warm each of the combined substances to boiling and record the boiling point of each.
B.
Investigation #2
1.
Measure out 1 gram of salt and 1 gram of sugar. Observe the texture and color of the substances and record the results.
2.
Add heat to the wax candles to cause the candles to melt. Split the melted wax into two containers. Combine the salt with the wax in one container and the sugar and wax in another container.
3.
Observe the texture of the substances when combined and record the results.
C.
Investigation #3
1.
Fill two beakers with water. In one of the beakers, mix in three spoons of salt and in the other beaker, mix in three spoons of sugar.
2.
Observe and record the solubility of the mixtures.
3.
Observe and record any changes in color when the substances are combined.
D.
Investigation #4
1.
Fill a jar with vinegar and fill another jar with water.
2.
Observe and record the color and surface of the nails before placing them in the liquids. Place a nail in the jar of water and another nail in the jar of vinegar.
3.
Allow both nails to sit in the liquid for 2 days. Observe and record any changes to the color and surface of the nails.
4.
Mix baking soda in the jar with each nail still in the liquid. Record and observe reactions by the mixtures.
5.
Allow the nails to stay in the mixture 2 days. Observe and record any changes to the color and surface of the nails.
Which investigation will BEST allow the students to compare chemical properties of matter?
A.
Investigation #1
1.
Fill three beakers: one with hydrogen peroxide, one with ammonia, and one with vinegar.
2
Observe the color of the original substances in the beakers and record the results. Warm each substance to boiling and record the boiling point of each.
3.
Using three new beakers, combine equal parts of ammonia and vinegar in one, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in one, and vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in one.
4.
Observe the color of the substances when combined in the beakers and record the results. Warm each of the combined substances to boiling and record the boiling point of each.
B.
Investigation #2
1.
Measure out 1 gram of salt and 1 gram of sugar. Observe the texture and color of the substances and record the results.
2.
Add heat to the wax candles to cause the candles to melt. Split the melted wax into two containers. Combine the salt with the wax in one container and the sugar and wax in another container.
3.
Observe the texture of the substances when combined and record the results.
C.
Investigation #3
1.
Fill two beakers with water. In one of the beakers, mix in three spoons of salt and in the other beaker, mix in three spoons of sugar.
2.
Observe and record the solubility of the mixtures.
3.
Observe and record any changes in color when the substances are combined.
D.
Investigation #4
1.
Fill a jar with vinegar and fill another jar with water.
2.
Observe and record the color and surface of the nails before placing them in the liquids. Place a nail in the jar of water and another nail in the jar of vinegar.
3.
Allow both nails to sit in the liquid for 2 days. Observe and record any changes to the color and surface of the nails.
4.
Mix baking soda in the jar with each nail still in the liquid. Record and observe reactions by the mixtures.
5.
Allow the nails to stay in the mixture 2 days. Observe and record any changes to the color and surface of the nails.
Answers
GPT-5 mini
D. Investigation #4
Reason: Chemical properties describe how a substance reacts and forms new substances (e.g., corrosion, gas evolution, color/texture changes from chemical reactions). Placing nails in water and vinegar and observing changes over days demonstrates chemical reactivity (acid speeds corrosion). Adding baking soda produces further chemical reactions (vinegar + baking soda produces CO2), so students can compare real chemical changes rather than only physical properties like solubility, texture, or boiling point.
Reason: Chemical properties describe how a substance reacts and forms new substances (e.g., corrosion, gas evolution, color/texture changes from chemical reactions). Placing nails in water and vinegar and observing changes over days demonstrates chemical reactivity (acid speeds corrosion). Adding baking soda produces further chemical reactions (vinegar + baking soda produces CO2), so students can compare real chemical changes rather than only physical properties like solubility, texture, or boiling point.