In class we are working on science centers. In these groups we do both experiments and written work. In the past two days my group has been doing work on mixtures, solutions, and compounds.
First we read about mixtures. A mixture is a combination of two or more substances. In a mixture, each substance maintains it’s physical properties. Next we read about solutions, a solution is a type of mixture in which one substance dissolves in the other. Finally we read about compounds, a compound has molecules with atoms of different elements. Compounds cannot be separated and you can’t see the individual elements each atom is made of.
Once we had read we started the stations. We started with the station create it. In that station we had a cup of beads that we had to separate into piles by color and identify the property’s of the beads. We noticed that the beads were hard, small, multi-colored and square. Next we had to make a mixture of the colored beads and see if the property’s change. We noticed that the property’s of the beads didn’t change.
The next station we did was sort it. In that station we had different elements and we had to sort them into solutions, mixtures and compounds. Under mixtures we had sand and water, sand and iron filing, and salad. Under the solution pile we had, soda, sugar and water and air. Under the compound pile we had table salt, baking soda and water.
The next station we did was match it. In this station we had to match the words to their definition. The definition of physical property’s is a characteristic of matter. The definition of solvent is the substance that dissolves in another substance to to make a solution. The definition of solute is the substance in a solution that there is more of. The definition of dissolve is to break down into smaller pieces until it is invisible.
The final station we did was explain it. At this station we looked at a lemonade recipe and we wrote our observations. Next we wrote a response. In my response I wrote, I learned that sugar is the solvent and hot water is the solute. I wonder if you didn’t mix the solution how long would it take for the sugar to dissolve in the hot water?
Overall this science lesson was really fun. My favorite station was create it with the beads. I can’t wait for another science activity!
Sincerely, Sabrina