What procedure could be used to demonstrate that matter is conserved during a physical change

Question

find the mass of a raw egg

Answer 1

To demonstrate that matter is conserved during a physical change, you can conduct a simple experiment using a raw egg. Here’s a step-by-step procedure:

Materials Needed

• A raw egg
• A digital scale (for measuring mass)
• A container or bowl (to hold the egg)
• A beaker or another container with a known volume of water (optional, for additional demonstration)
• Marker or tape (to label measurements)

Procedure

1. Measure the Mass of the Raw Egg:

   • Place the raw egg on the digital scale and record its mass. Ensure that the scale is calibrated to zero before placing the egg on it.
   • Example Measurement: The mass of the raw egg is 60 grams.

2. Conduct a Physical Change:

   • You can demonstrate a physical change by either boiling the egg or simply cracking it into a bowl to observe its state change.

   • Option A: Boiling the Egg

     1. Place the raw egg in a pot and cover it with water.
     2. Heat the pot until the water is boiling, and then let the egg cook for about 10 minutes.
     3. Carefully take the egg out of the water and let it cool slightly.

   • Option B: Cracking the Egg

     1. Crack the egg open into a bowl. This is also a physical change where the egg's state is altered without forming new substances.

3. Measure the Mass After the Physical Change:

   • If you boiled the egg, weigh the cooked egg once it has cooled down. If you cracked the egg, you can weigh the contents in the bowl.
   • Example Measurement After Boiling: The mass of the boiled egg is still approximately 60 grams.
   • Alternative Example After Cracking: If you cracked it into a bowl, the total mass of the egg contents would still be approximately 60 grams.

4. Analyze Results:

   • Compare the mass of the raw egg before and after the physical change. In both scenarios (boiled or cracked), you should find that the mass remains the same, demonstrating that matter is conserved during a physical change.
   • If additional materials (like shells or any water lost during cooking) were accounted for while boiling, ensure you measure and record those as well to fully demonstrate conservation.

Conclusion

• Through this experiment, you can conclude that matter is conserved during a physical change, as the total mass remains the same before and after the change. This illustrates the principle of conservation of mass in physical processes.