Physical vs Chemical Changes
Distinguish between physical changes (reversible, no new substances formed) and chemical changes (new substances formed, often irreversible), using conservation of mass to understand both types
Lesson
Set out your lesson
Distinguish changes by substance identity and explain mass conservation using a defined system boundary.
Before teaching
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Ask what an atom is, how a molecule differs from a single atom, and what would happen to a scale reading if matter left the weighed container. If unclear, revisit particle models and conservation before Try.
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Distinguish changes by substance identity and explain mass conservation using a defined system boundary.
Distinguish changes by substance identity and explain mass conservation using a defined system boundary.
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Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
States of Matter: Basics
Before you open · source notes
States of Matter: Basics supports hands-on exploration for Physical vs Chemical Changes. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
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Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “States of Matter: Basics.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Classifies given changes as physical or chemical with justification
- Explains what conservation of mass means and why mass is conserved in chemical reactions
- Names observable signs that a chemical reaction has occurred (colour change, gas produced, temperature change, precipitate)
- Explains why dissolving is a physical change but burning is a chemical change
“If your child dissolved sugar in tea versus burnt toast in the toaster, could they explain which is a physical change and which is a chemical change — and what test would show that mass is conserved in both cases?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Matter & Materials
- Age range
- Ages 11–13
Standards