1. Investigation I: Defining Matter
Alchemy Unit
Investigation I: Defining Matter
Lesson 1: Penny for Your Thoughts
Lesson 2: Whatsa Matter?
Lesson 3: Tools of the Trade
Lesson 4: All That Glitters

2. Alchemy Unit – Investigation I
Lesson 1:
Penny for Your Thoughts

3. ChemCatalyst : Copy in your journal
Long ago, early scientists tried to turn ordinary things into gold. This pursuit was called alchemy and the people who engaged in alchemy were called alchemists.
Do you think the alchemists were successful in turning things to gold? Explain your thinking.
Unit 1 • Investigation I

4. Alchemy Unit – Investigation I
Lesson 2:
Whatsa Matter?

5. ChemCatalyst Modern chemistry is defined as the study of matter.
What do you think matter is?
Name two things that are matter and two things that are not matter.
Unit 1 • Investigation I

6. Notes Here are some textbook definitions of matter:
Matter is anything that has mass and volume.
Matter is anything of substance in the known universe.
Matter is anything that takes up space.
(cont.)
Unit 1 • Investigation I

7. Mass & Volume
Mass is the amount of matter in an object substance. We measure mass by measuring it on a scale or balance.
Volume refers to the amount of space occupied by a substance.
Unit 1 • Investigation I

8. Properties of Matter
The intrinsic property of a substance is a property that doesn’t depend on size and shape.
It is generally not easy to determine intrinsic properties from the appearance of a substance.
Ex. Reactivity, flammability, density
Unit 1 • Investigation I

9. Properties of Matter
Extrinsic Properties of matter are properties that can be observed qualitatively.
Ex. Color, size, shape, texture
Unit 1 • Investigation I

10. D= density (g/ml or g/cm3)
Density is defined as the mass per unit volume or how much “stuff” there is in a certain space. Density is an intrinsic property of matter.
D = m  v
D= density (g/ml or g/cm3)
M= mass (g)
V= volume (ml or cm3)
Unit 1 • Investigation I

11. Check-Out
Which of the following can be classified as matter according to our definition?
a) a beam of sunlight
b) an automobile
c) an idea
d) your breath
e) rain
f) sadness
Unit 1 • Investigation I

12. Wrap-Up Matter is everything that takes up space.
Matter exists in many forms.
Unit 1 • Investigation I

13. Alchemy Unit – Investigation I
Lesson 4:
All That Glitters

14. ChemCatalyst
In the year 1 B.C., King Hiero commissioned the creation of a golden crown. However, he didn’t believe that the goldsmith used all gold. He asked Archimedes to determine if the crown was solid gold.
(cont.)
Unit 1 • Investigation I

15. (cont.)
Do you think Archimedes can determine if the crown is solid gold by putting it under water? Why or why not?
What happens to the level of the water if you submerge a crown in the water?
Unit 1 • Investigation I

16. The Big Question
How can we use mass and volume to prove whether or not a substance is gold?
Unit 1 • Investigation I

17. You will be able to:
Find the mass, volume, and density of solid objects.
Unit 1 • Investigation I

18. Activity
Purpose: It is not always easy to tell one form of matter from another. This activity will show you how to differentiate between different forms of matter by examining density, one of the physical properties of matter.
density = mass ÷ volume
(cont.)
Unit 1 • Investigation I

19. (cont.) (cont.) Data and Calculations Metal Mass (g)
Volume of water (mL)
Volume of water with metal (mL)
Volume of metal (mL)
2-inch long gold-colored rod
2-inch long silver-colored rod
4-inch long silver-colored rod
(cont.)
Unit 1 • Investigation I

20. (cont.) Densities of metals copper zinc gold aluminum brass 9.0 g/mL
Unit 1 • Investigation I

21. Check-In
In 1999 the United States Mint produced a coin called the Golden Dollar. It features an image of Sacagawea, the famous Native American guide for Lewis and Clark. It has a mass of 9.8 g and a volume of 1.1 mL.
What is the density of this coin?
The density of gold is 19.3 g/mL. Is this coin truly gold? Explain.
Unit 1 • Investigation I

22. Wrap-Up
Density is an intrinsic physical property of matter. It is a measure of the mass per unit of volume of a substance.
One substance can be distinguished from another by examining its intrinsic physical properties.
Unit 1 • Investigation I