The Weird and Wonderful World of Water

In our Science unit, the Weird and Wonderful World of Water, we conducted lots of investigations and modelling to learn more about water.  We learnt about the three states of water, its composition and how it behaves in each state.

As part of our investigations, we compared physical and chemical changes.  We found that chemical change involves a new substance being formed which can't be reversed, but with physical change the actual substance does not change; for instance, we found that ice and steam can be changed back into liquid water by heating or cooling.

We also learned how to act as scientists by co-operating in our science teams to observe closely, take careful measurements and share our findings with the whole class.  Some people also come to Science Club on Thursday lunchtimes where we continue to explore different science concepts.

Water molecules line up closely together to form ice.

Water molecules move about slowly, sometimes bumping into each other when they are liquid water. 

Water molecules are spaced out and move very fast when they are steam or water vapour.

We learned to measure very carefully.

We took lab notes to check we had followed all the steps.

We found liquid water turns to solid ice when it is frozen.

We modelled salt (white headbands) dissolving in water (blue headbands).

We investigated what substances dissolved in water.

We were surprised to feel how heavy large blocks of ice were, and yet they still floated on liquid water despite their weight.

We made butter.  Is is a physical or chemical change? (hint: can we change the butter back into cream and salt?)

Glow sticks, a chemical or physical change? 

Blowing balloons, a chemical or physical change? (hint: big or small, a ballon is still a balloon)