Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. These changes can be classified into two types: physical and chemical. In a physical change, one or more of a substance's physical properties - its size, shape, color, or state (phase) of matter - is altered. Grinding, melting, dissolving, and evaporating are all examples of physical changes. No new substances are formed as a result of a physical change, although substances may be broken into smaller pieces of the same substance.

A chemical change results in the formation of one or more new substances. The new substances differ in chemical properties and composition from the original substance. When a chemical change has taken place, many signs can indicate this. Some of these signs are: the release of energy in the form of light, heat, or sound; bubbling (due to the release of gas); odor changes; and color changes.

In this Virtual Lab, you will view videos of matter changing and determine whether the changes you observe are physical or chemical in nature.

Procedure:

1. Select one of the four events and view the video. You can stop the video at any point and watch it as many times as you wish.

2. Click the Play/Pause button to play and pause the video.

3. Click the rewind button to step back a few frames in the video.

4. Click the fast forward button to step ahead a few frames in the video.

5. Click the stop button to rewind the video to the beginning.

6. Use your observations to check all the items on the Observation Checklist. When all items are checked, decide whether the changes you observed represent a physical or chemical change of matter. Click the Physical Change or Chemical Change button.

7. Record your observations in the Table.

8. Select another event to observe. Observe the remaining three events and analyze the data.

9. Click the Reset button to watch four new events.

10. Complete the Journal questions.