Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to conduct and understand basic chemistry experiments.

Materials and Prep

• Beakers
• Test tubes
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Food coloring
• Lemon juice
• Water
• Cornstarch
• Measuring spoons
• Plastic cups
• Stirring rods
• Safety goggles
• Apron

Make sure to read and understand the instructions for each experiment before starting. Put on your safety goggles and apron to protect yourself.

Activities

1. Volcano Eruption:

   1. Fill a plastic cup halfway with vinegar.
   2. Add a few drops of food coloring to the vinegar.
   3. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the cup.
   4. Observe the chemical reaction and the eruption that occurs.

2. Invisible Ink:

   1. Mix lemon juice with water in a cup.
   2. Dip a stirring rod into the mixture and write a secret message on a piece of paper.
   3. Allow the paper to dry.
   4. To reveal the message, heat the paper with a hairdryer or iron.

3. Oobleck:

   1. In a cup, mix 1 cup of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water.
   2. Stir the mixture slowly and observe its unique properties.
   3. Squeeze the oobleck in your hand and see how it changes from a solid to a liquid.

Fifth Grade Talking Points

• "Chemistry is the study of matter and how it changes."
• "Chemical reactions occur when substances combine or break apart to form new substances with different properties."
• "In the volcano eruption experiment, the baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) react to produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes the eruption."
• "The invisible ink experiment demonstrates how lemon juice, when heated, oxidizes and turns brown, revealing the hidden message."
• "Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, which means it behaves both like a liquid and a solid depending on the force applied to it."
• "By conducting these experiments, we can learn about the properties of different substances and the reactions they can undergo."