What is a chemical reaction? | 11-14 years

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Explore the key idea that chemical reactions produce one or more new substances while conserving matter in this lesson plan with activities for 11–14 year olds.

In this activity, students explore key ideas about chemical reactions, beginning with a diagnostic probe and a simple practical, before working in groups to identify common features or ‘rules’ to determine when a chemical reaction has happened.

Students will be able to explain that:

One or more new substances result from a chemical reaction.
The amount of matter is conserved in a chemical reaction.
Particles are rearranged in a chemical reaction.

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