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Can you identify a mysterious ingredient?

Material Properties
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DISCUSS:
What could happen to your cake if you guessed the ingredients
wrong?
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DISCUSS: Watch what happens when we mix each of
these ingredients into a glass of water.
What do you notice?
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DISCUSS: What tests could you do to figure out the properties of an ingredient before you start baking with it?

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Step
01/18
You’ll work with a partner.
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Step
02/18
Get your supplies.
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Step
03/18
Set up your testing area. Both partners should be able to easily reach
the Water Test sheet and Mystery Ingredients.
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Step
04/18
Scoop Ingredient 1 onto the circle inside Box 1 on your Water Test
sheet. Fill in the circle. When you’re done, put your ingredient cup
and stick back in their place.
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Step
05/18
Scoop the rest of the Mystery Ingredients into their matching
circles. Put everything back in its place when you’re done.
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06/18
Discuss.
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Step
07/18
Practice: Put your straw in the cup. Put your finger tightly over the
top of the straw to trap the water inside. Release the water onto
a Practice Area. Only add enough water to fill each circle.
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Step
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Partner 1: Add water onto Ingredient 1 on your Water Test sheet. Fill
up the circle. Partner 2: Mix them together with the mixing stick.
Mix for at least 30 seconds. Keep everything inside the box.
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Step
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Repeat this for the remaining 3 Mystery Ingredients. Trade off who
adds water with the straw and who mixes each time. Discuss
observations with your partner.
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Step
10/18
Write down what you observed for each ingredient on your Mystery
Ingredient Observations sheet.
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Step
11/18
Get the rest of your supplies.
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Step
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Scoop each Mystery Ingredient into the matching circle on the
Vinegar Test sheet.
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Use your straw to add VINEGAR to Mystery Ingredient 1. Observe
what happens. Repeat for the remaining 3 ingredients.
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Write down what you observed for each ingredient on your Mystery
Ingredient Observations sheet.
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Step
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Watch what happens to the Mystery Ingredients as they are heated
up. Record your observations on your Mystery Ingredient
Observations sheet.
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Step
16/18
Based on your observations, which Mystery Ingredient is BAKING
SODA? Discuss with your partner and fill in your answer at the
bottom of your Mystery Ingredient Observations sheet.
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Step
17/18
Based on your observations, which Mystery Ingredient is CORN
STARCH? Discuss with your partner and fill in your answer at the
bottom of your Mystery Ingredient Observations sheet.
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Step
18/18
Based on your observations, which Mystery Ingredients are SALT
and SUGAR? Discuss with your partner and fill in your answer at
the bottom of your Mystery Ingredient Observations sheet.
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Cleanup Placeholder Slide

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DISCUSS: In what other situations could identifying an unknown substance be useful?

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organism


1 of 14

any living thing
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environment


2 of 14

a living thing’s surroundings, including other living things and non-living parts like soil, water, and air
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soil


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found on Earth's surface; made of tiny rocks and material from dead plants and animals

matter


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anything that takes up space and has weight; can be in different forms such as solid, liquid, or gas
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model


5 of 14

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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evidence


6 of 14

information that can be used to support or reject an idea
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microscope


7 of 14

a tool used to see very tiny things up close

decompose


8 of 14

the process of breaking down dead plants, dead animals, or animal waste
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decomposer


9 of 14

a living thing that can break down dead plants, dead animals, or animal waste
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fungus (fungi)


10 of 14

a living thing that is a decomposer, such as a mold or mushroom
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mold


11 of 14

a type of fungus that often decomposes food
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mushroom


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a type of fungus that usually has a stalk and cap
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bacteria


13 of 14

an organism that is usually a decomposer; some cause illness
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compost


14 of 14

decomposed material that can be used as fertilizer
Can you identify a mysterious ingredient?
Material Properties

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students explore the observable and measurable properties of substances, especially those used for cooking. In the activity, Mystery Ingredients, students make observations of four unknown powders in order to accurately identify each one based on their unique properties.
Preview activity
Clean-up Supplies (Eg. Paper Towels)
1 roll per class
Baking Soda
5 tablespoons per class
Craft Sticks
4 sticks per pair
Dixie Cups (3 oz)
4 cups per pair
Plastic Straws (Not Bendable)
1 straw per pair
Salt
5 tablespoons per class
Sheet Protector
2 per pair
Toothpicks
Coffee stirrers or craft sticks will also work.
2 per pair
White Vinegar
1 cup per class
Prep Instructions

You will need access to water for this activity. We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

Prepare Cups with Powders

Each pair of students will need four cups with mystery substances. Divide your 3-oz paper cups into four equal groups. Label each cup in the first group #1 and scoop about 1 teaspoon of salt. Label each cup in the second group #2 and scoop about 1 teaspoon of baking soda into each. Label each cup in the third group #3 and scoop about 1 teaspoon of sugar into each. Label each cup in the fourth group #4 and scoop about 1 teaspoon of salt into each.

Prepare the Scoop Sticks

Divide your craft sticks into four equal piles. Write #1, #2, #3, and #4 on the sticks in each pile. Then place a #1 stick in the #1 3-oz cups. Repeat this for all cups.

Prepare Water and Vinegar

Pour about a tablespoon of water into a small plastic cup. Pour about a tablespoon of vinegar into a small plastic cup.

Prepare Worksheets

Place each "Water Test" worksheet into a sheet protector. Place each "Vinegar Test" worksheet into a sheet protector.

Standards

Jump to

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Wrap-Up

15 mins

Extend this lesson

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Credits
 
Chemistry Lesson 1: Can you identify a mysterious ingredient?

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