Chemical Reactions Experiment 5th Grade Conservation of Mass Atoms Molecules

Students read a passage, run experiments, collect and graph data, and apply the law of conservation of mass. The station combines science inquiry, critical thinking, and literacy skills.

Three investigations cover baking soda and vinegar, Alka-Seltzer and water, and Mentos and Diet Coke.

What’s Included

• Informational reading passage on matter, atoms, molecules, and chemical changes
• Student direction cards for independent station use
• Experiment instructions for three investigations: baking soda and vinegar, Alka-Seltzer and water, and Mentos and Diet Coke
• Student activity sheets with data tables for recording mass
• Graphing and analysis pages

Skills Covered

• Understanding the law of conservation of mass
• Identifying and explaining chemical changes
• Differentiating atoms, molecules, and matter
• Conducting scientific investigations
• Measuring and recording mass in data tables
• Analyzing results and drawing conclusions
• Graphing and interpreting data
• Reading informational science text

Ways to Use This Resource

• Set up as a science station
• Run the investigations in small groups
• Use during a matter and chemical changes unit
• Assign the reading and data analysis independently
• Use for review before assessments

Why Teachers Love It

• Everything needed for a complete station
• Familiar experiments make the concept concrete
• Combines science, math, and reading
• Direction cards support independent work
• Aligned to NGSS 5-PS1-2

This chemical reactions experiment gives students evidence for a big idea in physical science: matter is not created or destroyed in a reaction.