Group 2

BS PSYCHOLOGY 3107

Introduction
Chemistry, the science of matter and its transformations, delves into the intricate world of atoms,
molecules, and their interactions. It explores the composition, structure, and properties of
substances, as well as the changes they undergo. From the macroscopic world of everyday
objects to the microscopic realm of atoms and molecules, chemistry provides a framework for
understanding the natural world.
Matter, the fundamental substance of the universe, can exist in various states, including solids,
liquids, gases, plasma, and Bose-Einstein condensates. The physical state of a substance
depends on factors like temperature and pressure. For instance, water can exist as ice, liquid
water, or steam. The particle theory explains the differences between these states, with particles
tightly packed in solids, less tightly packed in liquids, and widely spaced in gases.
Matter undergoes physical and chemical changes. Physical changes, like melting or freezing,
alter the physical properties of a substance without changing its chemical composition.
Chemical changes, such as combustion or rusting, involve the transformation of substances into
new substances with different properties.
The properties of matter can be classified as physical or chemical. Physical properties, like
color, density, and melting point, can be observed or measured without changing the
substance's chemical composition. Chemical properties, like reactivity and flammability,
describe a substance's ability to undergo specific chemical changes.
By understanding the fundamental concepts of matter, its properties, and the changes it
undergoes, we can appreciate the intricate workings of the natural world and apply chemical
principles to solve real-world problems.

Methods
1. Observe the physical and chemical properties of the assigned substances. Record the
observations in the table provided.
2. Using identical cups, fill it up with water (make sure they are of the same water level),
add an ample amount of the sample. Stir and observe what happens.
3. Using a metal spoon, get a small amount of sample, and try to subject it to flame (NOTE:
Do this under the supervision of an adult and in an open and well-ventilated area. Use a
face mask while doing this/PPE is required).
4. Get two identical cups. In one cup, add vinegar and the other cup, add water. Then add
the same amount of baking soda (spoonful) to each cup, at the same time.
5. Mix sodium carbonate and calcium chloride. Observe. Record in the table provided.

Materials
● Plastic cups
● Plastic spoon and metallic spoon
● Candle
● Match

Reagents
● Water
● Salt
● Sugar
● Alcohol
● Vinegar
● Moth balls
● Baking soda
● Cooking oil
● paper
Data and Results

A. Physical and Chemical Properties of Selected Household Substances

Table 1. Physical and Chemical Properties of Selected Household Substances
Sample Chemical Color Phases Solubility Property (Put a check
Formula Observation Form1 (Water as a only) Based on the 2nd
(Spoon over solvent) column
candle flame)
Physical Chemical

water H2O Transparent Liquid ✔

salt NaCl White Solid Soluble ✔

sugar C12H22O11 Brown Solid Soluble ✔

vinegar CH3COOH Yellow Liquid Soluble ✔

moth balls C10H8 White Solid Insoluble ✔

cooking oil C3H5(OOC Yellow Liquid Insoluble ✔ ✔

R’)3

paper Cellulose Yellowish Solid Insoluble ✔

C₆H₁₀O₅

matchstick KClO₃ Brown Solid Insoluble ✔

P
S

ethanol C₂H₅OH Transparent Liquid Soluble ✔ ✔

alcohol

B. Physical and Chemical Change

Table 2.
Sample Observation/s Type of Change

Water + Baking Soda We observed that when Physical Change

baking soda was added to
water, it gradually dissolved,
forming a clear solution.
Initially, the solution
appeared slightly cloudy, but
it eventually became clear as
the powder completely
dissolved.

Vinegar + Baking Soda We observed that when Chemical Change

vinegar was added to baking
soda, it reacted and formed
bubbles or fizzing that
eventually caused the
solution to overflow leaving
foam in the container.

Guide Questions
1. How can physical and chemical properties be used in identification of unknown
substances? Cite some examples.
● An unknown material can be identified using its physical and chemical properties.
Chemical properties explain how a substance reacts during a chemical transformation,
 whereas physical properties include attributes like melting and boiling points. The identity
of the unknown material can be ascertained by comparing these characteristics and
monitoring chemical reactions. A substance's behavior during a chemical change, like
reacting with another material, is referred to as its chemical properties. On the other
hand, physical properties are attributes that are measurable or observable without
changing the chemical structure of the material. For example, the melting point and
boiling point are physical properties that can help identify a substance. Each substance
has specific temperature ranges at which it transitions from solid to liquid or from liquid to
gas. By comparing the melting and boiling points of an unknown substance to known
substances, we can determine its identity. Chemical reactions can provide clues about
the identity of a substance. For instance, if an unknown substance reacts with an acid to
produce gas bubbles, it may indicate the presence of a carbonate compound. Similarly, if
a substance turns blue when exposed to iodine, it might contain starch.
2. Enumerate five examples each of physical and chemical change you can observe in
daily life.
● Physical Change
○ Sharpening a knife – This is a physical change. Material is removed
from the knife blade to make it sharper, but the material itself remains the
same.
○ Tying a rope in a knot – This is a physical change. The rope’s shape
changes as it’s tied into a knot, but it remains the same material.
○ Bending wire – This is a physical change. The wire’s shape changes, but
it is still the same material.
○ Folding a paper to fit in an envelope – This is a physical change. The
paper’s shape changes, but it remains paper.
○ Slicing bread – This is a physical change. The bread is cut into smaller
pieces, but it is still bread.
● Chemical Change
○ Toasting marshmallows – Heat causes chemical reactions in the sugars
and proteins, changing the marshmallow's flavor and texture.
○ Decaying leaf – Microorganisms break down the leaf, producing new
substances like gases and organic matter.
○ Baking cookies – Heat causes the ingredients to react, forming new
compounds and changing the texture and flavor.
○ Burning paper – The paper reacts with oxygen, producing carbon
dioxide, water vapor, and ash.
○ Digesting food – Enzymes break down food into simpler molecules,
creating new substances for energy.
3. What are the indications that chemical change occurred? Relate this to your
observations in your experiment.
● Chemical changes happen when a substance turns into a completely new one with
different properties. There are several indications that a chemical change has taken
place. One sign is a change in color, like when a metal rusts or a fruit ripens. In the
experiment, when the sugar is heated, it caramelizes, darkens, and eventually burns,
producing a new substance with a different color and releasing smoke. Another clue is
the formation of gas bubbles, such as when baking soda mixes with vinegar. Mothballs
(made of naphthalene) go through a chemical change as they turn into a white gas,
which changes their molecular structure. Similarly, when cooking oil is heated, it
oxidizes, releasing smoke and potentially flame. When paper and matchsticks burn, they
turn into ash and release carbon dioxide, which is another sign of a chemical change by
burning. Therefore, the release of smoke, color changes, and the creation of new
substances through burning or turning into gas are clear signs of chemical changes.

Conclusion

This experiment provides important insights into the basic concepts of chemistry and the
behavior of matter by demonstrating how several substances, including water, salt, sugar,
vinegar, mothballs, cooking oil, paper, baking soda,alcohol, and matchsticks, interact with water.
Water, known as the universal solvent, plays a crucial role in dissolving a wide range of
materials, influencing their chemical and physical characteristics. When examining substances,
we observed distinct behaviors and changes that occur when these materials come into contact
with water and flame. These interactions highlight key concepts, including solubility, polarity,
and phase changes, illustrating how matter can exist in different states and how its properties
can alter under varying conditions.

Upon observing water in a spoon over candle flame, it just simply boiled which exhibited
a physical change, as no new substances were formed. Salt dissolves in the solvent separating
sodium chloride into sodium and chloride ions, it has a high melting point indicating that it does
not easily melt over flame . Instead, the salt simply heats up indicating change in its physical
form either flame or in water. Sugar , as a polar compound, dissolves in water as well, forming a
homogeneous solution without any chemical change. When sugar comes into contact with
flame, we observe that it melts and caramelizes when heated. It begins to melt, turning into a
sticky liquid and dark brown color. Sugar exhibits physical change in water and chemical change
when heated. Vinegar, which is aqueous of acetic acid, mixes with water and evaporates over
flame, both does not undergo chemical changes in the process. When alcohol is mixed with
water, the two liquids form a homogeneous solution. This means that the molecules of alcohol
and water intermingle and dissolve into each other. Upon heating alcohol over a flame it leads to
vaporization which undergoes a physical change. In contrast, mothballs which are composed of
solid naphthalene are largely insoluble with water because the water molecules cannot interact
effectively with the non polar naphthalene molecules and it releases a strong, distinctive odor
and they turn into a white gas, which changes their molecular structure when heated. This
happens because the substance evaporates due to its low melting point, forming toxic vapors .
Mothballs undergo a chemical change and sublimate directly from solid to gas, changing their
molecular structure . Cooking oil is also insoluble in water, instead the oil forms separate layers
when mixed with water. When cooking oil is heated it just simply boils and oxidizes that release
smoke which also undergoes a chemical change. Paper, which is hydrophilic due to its cellulose
fibers, absorbs water, causing it to swell and lose its structural integrity—a physical change
where the paper becomes soggy and weak. When exposed to heat, it begins to scorch, and
darken. Matchsticks, typically made of wood and coated with chemicals at the tips, do not
dissolve in water and when exposed to flame, they catch fire immediately. A physical change
happened when the wood slowly absorbed water, swelling and potentially disintegrating and a
chemical change happened when the matchstick burned in fire.

When water and baking soda are mixed, the baking soda dissolves in the water, forming
a solution. This is a physical change, as the substance breaks down into ions but does not
undergo a chemical reaction under normal conditions. The mixture is soluble, meaning the
baking soda dissolves completely in water. And lastly, when vinegar and baking soda are mixed,
the reaction is vigorous, with immediate bubbling and fizzing as carbon dioxide gas is released.
Over time, the fizzing slows down as the acid and base neutralize each other, and the mixture
turns into a watery, slightly cloudy solution. It leads to an explosive release of gas since the
plastic cup is open.

Overall, we conclude that the phases of matter have a significant impact on the physical
and chemical changes that substances can undergo. It also influences how each substance
behaves when mixed with water or heated. In general, substances in the solid phase like salt,
sugar, mothballs, paper, and matchsticks experience physical changes such as dissolution or
swelling in water. Heating these solids can lead to phase changes such as melting or
sublimation or chemical reactions in matchsticks which leads to combustion or caramelization in
sugar. Substances in the liquid phase, such as vinegar, alcohol, cooking oil, and water, undergo
physical changes like evaporation or boiling when heated. The reactions of baking soda with
water and with vinegar both produce carbon dioxide gas, but they differ in intensity and chemical
process. When baking soda is mixed with vinegar, an acid-base reaction occurs, producing
carbon dioxide gas rapidly and visibly. In contrast, when baking soda is mixed with water, the
reaction is much slower and less vigorous because water alone does not provide the same
acidic environment needed for a strong reaction. This experiment clearly demonstrates that the
presence of an acid, such as vinegar, greatly accelerates the reaction with baking soda
compared to neutral water.
Photo Documentation