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Could you transform something worthless into gold?
Chemical Magic Unit | Lesson 2 of 5

Could you transform something worthless into gold?

Chemical Magic Unit | Lesson 2 of 5
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep

DISCUSS (1 of 3): Can you think of any tests you could do, that would help you figure out which idea is true?

2 possibilities

Here’s an idea we had...

DISCUSS (2 of 3):

Suppose we give you a scale, a tool that measures weight. Using a scale, is there a test you could do to figure out which idea is true?

DISCUSS (3 of 3):

If the vinegar and salt REMOVED the dull copper, then what should we find out when we weigh the penny before and after?

DISCUSS:

Why do you think the alchemist left, never to be heard from again? Was there something he didn’t want the king to figure out?

DISCUSS (1 of 2):

Why do you think we couldn’t see little bits of copper in the liquid?

Anchor Connection

DISCUSS (1 of 2):

Look at the “Wonder” column of your class See-Think-Wonder chart. Have any questions been answered by this lesson?

Anchor Connection

DISCUSS (2 of 2):

If the old gargoyle didn’t disappear, what could have happened to the particles? Go to the next slide and fill in your evidence chart.

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mixture


1 of 10

a combination of two or more things

dissolve


2 of 10

when one substance mixes with another and it looks like it disappears, such as when sugar mixes into tea
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solution


3 of 10

a special kind of mixture where you cannot tell the different parts from each other

liquid


4 of 10

a state of matter, such as water when you can pour it

states of matter


5 of 10

the different forms of matter that include solid, liquid, and gas
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matter


6 of 10

anything that takes up space; can be in different forms such as solid, liquid, or gas

particle


7 of 10

a very tiny thing, sometimes too small to be seen
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experiment


8 of 10

a test used to discover new information about a question

evidence


9 of 10

information that can be used to support or reject an idea
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alchemist


10 of 10

a name for people in the past who studied the combination of chemicals
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Lesson narration:

Grade 5

Chemical Reactions & Properties Of Matter

Dissolving & Particulate Nature of Matter

5-PS1-1, 5-PS1-2

8106 reviews

Activity Prep

Print Prep
THIS LESSON WAS REVISED ON JANUARY 11, 2018. If you've prepped prior to that date, we suggest using the previous version.
In this lesson, students investigate the alchemists’ claim of transforming ordinary metals into gold. In the activity, The King's Sword, students use the vinegar, salt, and penny solution that they created in Lesson 1 to copper plate a steel nail. Students then create a conceptual model of how particles from the pennies are the same ones that eventually coat the nail in copper.
Preview activity

Exploration

20 mins

Grade 5

Chemical Reactions & Properties Of Matter

Dissolving & Particulate Nature of Matter

5-PS1-1, 5-PS1-2

8106 reviews
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Chemistry Lesson 2: Could you transform something worthless into gold?

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