Molecular Mashup Booklet Molecular Mashup
Lab Investigation & Review
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Mission Briefing
Welcome, Lab Technician! Today you will navigate through four distinct "Lab Zones" to prove your expertise in mixtures, solutions, and reactions. Complete each challenge to earn your certification.
1
Lab Zone: The Great Sort
Determine if each combination below is a simple Mixture or a special Solution .
Trail Mix (Raisins, Nuts, M&Ms)
Mixture
Solution
Salt Water (Stirred until clear)
Mixture
Solution
Sand and Iron Filings
Mixture
Solution
Lemonade (Powder in water)
Mixture
Solution
Explain: How do you know when a mixture is also a solution?
2
Lab Zone: Property Detectives
Appearance
Color, shape, and size of crystals.
Magnetism
Attraction to magnetic fields.
Solubility
How it behaves in water.
The Mystery Substance Challenge
Imagine you have a mystery white powder. You observe its properties to identify it. Here is the lab data:
Observation 1: Crystal shape is square/cube.
Observation 2: It dissolves in water.
Observation 3: It does NOT react with vinegar.
Observation 4: It tastes salty.
Identify: What is this substance?
Reflect: Why is it important to test multiple properties instead of just one?
3
Lab Zone: Concentration Combat
Look at the three "Beakers" below. They all have the same amount of water, but different amounts of "Solute" (the green dots).
BEAKER A
BEAKER B
BEAKER C
Challenge 1
Which beaker is the LEAST concentrated (most dilute)?
Challenge 2
Which beaker is the MOST concentrated?
Critical Thinking:
If you drink Beaker B and Beaker C, which one will taste stronger? Why?
4
Lab Zone: Reaction Reality
Is it a Physical Change (same stuff, different look) or a Chemical Reaction (new stuff created)?
Scenario Physical Chemical Evidence Baking soda and vinegar fizzing.
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| Melting an ice cube. |
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| Mixing sand and water. |
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| Burning a piece of paper. |
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Final Lab Report
What happens to the total weight (mass) of a solution after you dissolve 10g of sugar into 100g of water?
Stays 100g
Becomes 110g
Sugar disappears
How do you know? (Hint: Conservation of mass!)
Molecular Mashup Key Molecular Mashup
TEACHER ANSWER KEY - Page 1 of 4
Grade 5 Review
Lab Zone 1: The Great Sort
Trail Mix
✓ Mixture
Salt Water
✓ Solution
Sand & Iron Filings
✓ Mixture
Lemonade
✓ Solution
Sample Explanation:
"A mixture is also a solution when one substance (the solute) dissolves completely into another (the solvent). In a solution, the substances are spread out evenly and usually look like one clear liquid."
Molecular Mashup
TEACHER ANSWER KEY - Page 2 of 4
Lab Zone 2: Property Detectives
Mystery Substance Identification
Table Salt (Sodium Chloride)
Key clues: Cubed crystals, dissolves in water, salty taste, no vinegar reaction.
Why test multiple properties?
"Testing only one property can be misleading. For example, both salt and sugar are white powders that dissolve in water. Testing crystal shape or taste (if safe) or chemical reactions helps tell them apart and confirm the identity."
Molecular Mashup
TEACHER ANSWER KEY - Page 3 of 4
Lab Zone 3: Concentration Combat
Least Concentrated
Beaker A
(Only 2 dots of solute)
Most Concentrated
Beaker C
(Many more dots of solute)
Taste Thinking Question:
"Beaker C will taste stronger because it has more solute (the flavoring) in the same volume of water. Concentration is all about how much stuff is packed into a space; more stuff equals stronger flavor."
Molecular Mashup
TEACHER ANSWER KEY - Page 4 of 4
Lab Zone 4: Reaction Reality
ScenarioCorrect TypeEvidence
Fizzing vinegar Chemical Bubbles/Gas produced
Melting ice Physical State change (still water)
Mixing sand Physical No new stuff made
Burning paper Chemical Ash, smoke, heat, color
Final Lab Report: Mass
Correct Answer: 110g
"Mass is conserved. Even when a solid dissolves and is no longer visible, it still exists in the solution. 100g water + 10g sugar must equal 110g total mass."
Solution Secrets Reference Solution Secrets
Essential Vocabulary & Concepts Reference
Key Vocabulary
Mixture: Materials combined that can be separated easily.
Solution: A mixture where one substance dissolves into another.
Solvent: The liquid that does the dissolving (like water).
Solute: The solid that gets dissolved (like sugar).
Property: A characteristic like color, shape, or magnetism.
Property Checklist
When identifying a substance, check:
Color & Texture: White, clear, powdery?Crystal Shape: Squares or no shape?Solubility: Does it dissolve in water?Vinegar Test: Does it fizz or bubble?
Physical vs. Chemical
Physical
Change in state. NO new substance.
Melting Ice
Chemical
Reaction occurs. NEW substance made.
Burning Paper
Clues for Chemical Reactions:
Bubbling/Fizzing
Heat/Cold
Color Change
Precipitate
Conservation of Mass
"Nothing is lost, even when it hides!"
100g
Water
5g
Salt
=
105g
Total
