Matter and Change - Diagnostic Questions Set 7
Added: 29 Mar 2018
Contributor:
Scoilnet
Resource type:
Assessment
/
Worksheet
Probe pupils’ ideas about matter and change (physical and chemical) with these diagnostic questions.
Qs1-2 test whether pupils can distinguish between properties of an object and of the material from which it is made.
Q3 then probes pupils’ meaning of the term ‘chemical’: do they think all matter is made of ‘chemicals’ or that some is not? It may be useful to know this before using the idea of ‘chemical’ or ‘chemical change’ (or, indeed, that of ‘new materials’ being formed, as the National Curriculum at KS2 puts it).
Qs4-7 ask pupils to distinguish between examples of physical and chemical change, or where they think a new substance has been produced or not. The examples in each pair of questions here are the same – as it may be more useful to find out if a pupil sees these two ideas (a chemical change/new substance(s) formed) as equivalent. There is, of course, no reliable or infallible way to tell from observation if a change is physical or chemical – and chemists argue about some examples. So these questions should only be seen as giving a broad indication of the consistency (or otherwise) of pupils’ thinking.
Qs8-9 are about separating by filtering – a topic that is included in the KS2 National
Curriculum (Sc3). These questions probe understanding of the principles rather than recall of
what happens. Q8(c) is the exception to the statement above that these questions do not
require particle ideas.
Q10 tests pupils’ recall of the correct terms for changes of state. This could be modified (to
make it more difficult) by removing the box of words.
How it maps to the curriculum
- JC
- Science
Strand: 3. Chemical World
Strand unit: 1. Chemical and Physical Changes (Mass)
Suggestions for use: Authorship and copyright is held by the University of York. These questions are available to teachers for any non-commercial use.
Strand: 3. Chemical World
Strand unit: 2. Atomic Nature of Matter & Separation
Suggestions for use: Authorship and copyright is held by the University of York. These questions are available to teachers for any non-commercial use.
