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Knowledge and Skills Statement

Matter and energy. The student knows that matter is made of atoms, can be classified according to its properties, and can undergo changes.

During a chemical change, the atoms of the substance that were combined are rearranged to make new elements and/or compounds. The following chemical changes may be observed: a change in thermal energy (increase or decrease in temperature which is not a result of a state change), the production of a gas (bubbling), the production of a precipitate (a solid that formed after mixing liquids), or a color change.  One observation is not always sufficient to determine a chemical change. 

the smallest particle of matter that has distinct physical and chemical properties; consists of a nucleus which contains protons and neutrons and an electron cloud which contains electrons

data that support a hypothesis or an argument and is observable through the senses or technology

substance that occupies space, has mass, and is composed of microscopic particles

a solid substance that is formed during a chemical change and occurs after mixing liquids

observable characteristics of matter that can be used to identify particular materials

a particular kind of matter with uniform properties; can be seen, touched, and/or measured

Research

Lott, Kimberly, and Anitra Jensen. “Changes Matter!” Science and Children 50, no. 2 (October 2012): 54–61. https://www.nsta.org/science-and-children#tab.

Summary: "Changes Matter" outlines common misconceptions and possible overgeneralizations that students make regarding a physical change versus a chemical change.  Investigations are included to help identify evidence of chemical changes and differences between chemical and physical changes.