ShareChanging Matter - Candle Wax
You now are going to look at one object and evaluate both
the physical and chemical properties of it! As you do so, review first what
physical properties are. Remember that physical properties are the
properties of an object that can be observed. For example color, shape,
and texture are all physical properties.
Before viewing the video below, look at the picture of the unlit
candle at the left. Now list five of its physical properties.
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| 2. |
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Watch this video showing a candle burning. Watch the video closely.
Remember that chemical properties describe how a substance changes into a new substance. For example, you know from previous experience that wood has the ability to burn, therefore since wood changes chemically when it burns, one of its chemical properties is its ability to burn. Water on the other hand does not burn so water does not have the chemical property of burning. Water does react violently when it is combined with sodium metal. Therefore, a chemical property of water is its ability to react with sodium metal.
Now that the candle has been lit, observe what you see and list two of its chemical properties. It may help to play the video again.
1.
2.
Analysis:
- In what ways are physical and chemical properties for a substance related?
- How might your observations have been different if you had watched the candle burn for five minutes?
- Would the chemical properties of the candle have changed if it was a blue instead of a red candle?
