What Is a Chemical Reaction?

What You'll Learn

In a chemical reaction, substances called reactants are transformed into new substances called products. The total mass stays the same because atoms are rearranged, not created or destroyed.

Key Words

compound
mixture
solution

Materials Needed

spoons
food coloring
plastic bottles
balloons
measuring cups
paper towels

Safety First

Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 — Do

Build a model of an atom using craft supplies. Show protons, neutrons, and electrons in the correct arrangement. Label each particle.

Step 3 — Observe

Note any unexpected results and think about why they happened.

Step 4 — Record

Share your findings with the class or a partner and discuss what you learned.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is a mixture?