Studying Physical Science at MSP

Eighth-grade students in Mrs. Hester’s Science class have been studying the Law of Conservation of Mass.  Students participated in a lab in which they have to determine the mass before and after various chemical reactions.  The Law of Conservation of Mass tells us that mass is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions. In other words, the mass of any one element at the beginning of a reaction will equal the mass of that element at the end of the reaction.  Students observed and measured the mass of popcorn kernels before and after being popped and compared their mass.  Working in small groups students also measured the mass of a chemical reaction both before and after the reaction.  Students were surprised to see first hand that although things changed physically they still maintained their original mass.