Catalysts: Speeding Up Reactions

What You'll Learn

Matter exists in three common states: solid, liquid, and gas. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, liquids have a fixed volume but take the shape of their container, and gases fill any container.

Key Words

mixture
solution

Materials Needed

sugar
vinegar
baking soda

Safety First

Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
Use materials only as directed in the experiment.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Review the background information on Matter and Reactions before starting.

Step 2 — Do

Separate a mixture of sand, salt, and iron filings using a magnet, water, and a filter. Record each step and what you separated.

Step 3 — Observe

Compare the before and after states.

Step 4 — Record

Write your conclusion: did the results match your hypothesis? What would you change next time?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

Which is an example of a chemical change?