This week in Science, we investigated soluble and insoluble materials!
We began by developing our scientific understanding of what these words mean and thinking about what happens to particles when a substance dissolves.
We learnt that when a soluble material is added to water, its particles spread out and move between the water particles. This means that we can no longer see the solid material, even though it is still there! We also learnt that a solution is formed when a substance dissolves in a liquid. A solution can be completely clear, or it can change colour depending on what has been dissolved in it.
We then put our knowledge to the test by investigating eight different solids (all things from sugar to rice and lentils). We followed the same instructions for our investigation, using one spoonful of the material, 100ml of water and one minute of stirring. We carefully observed what happened and recorded our findings.
We also thought like real scientists and discussed whether our investigation was a fair test. As each group tested a different material, we recognised that this meant we were changing one important variable. We discussed why scientists need to consider this when planning investigations and drawing conclusions from their results.
Finally, we came back together as a class to share our observations and compare our findings. We were able to identify which materials were soluble and which were insoluble, while using our knowledge of particles and solutions to explain what we had observed.
Can you remember which material surprised you most, and can you explain what happened to its particles when it dissolved?
