Year 8 Science: Chemistry - Chemical Reactions Assignment Miss Reed

When elements and compounds undergo reactions they may change physically or chemically. A chemical reaction is
the process in which one or more substances, the reactants, are converted to one or more different and new
substances, the products. Evidence of a chemical change can include: change of colour, release of energy,
production of sound, formation of a gas and formation of a precipitate. The change is also difficult to reverse.
Chemical reactions occur all around us and inside our bodies every second of every day. Examples include:
Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration
Clotting of blood
Photosynthesis
Rusting
Striking a matchstick
Souring of milk
Cooking of food
Burning wood
Explosion of fireworks
Chewing and digesting food
Oxidizing food for energy
Combustion
Mixing chemicals
Tarnishing silver
Mixing an acid with a base
Rotting of fruit
YOUR TASK
You need to investigate two chemical reactions and present your information in the form of a poster, power point,
oral, interview, video, blog, website or brochure. You may choose your own chemical reactions to investigate.
Remember to include a bibliography.
You will need to respond to the following questions:
1. Explain why it is a chemical reaction?
2. Identify the reactants and the products?
3. Identify evidence (properties) that suggests that it is a chemical reaction?
4. State three interesting facts or information about the product that was created.
5. Identify it as exothermic or endothermic
6. Is this reaction used commercially or has it been developed into a product for consumers? Are there any
social or environmental issues relating to this chemical change?
7. Research when this reaction was first discovered. How was it discovered? How has it been adapted and
further researched over time?
8. Should you wish to study this chemical reaction further suggests to career pathways in which this may lead

Assessment Rubric
A B C D E

Depth of response
Analyses and applies
chemistry concepts and
evidence to suggest
solutions to complex
problems.
Applies chemistry
concepts and evidence
to suggest solutions to
problems.
Applies chemistry
concepts to suggest
some solutions to basic
problems.
Applies some evidence
to describe some basic
problems and identify
one or more simple
solutions, in familiar
contexts.
Identifies a basic
problem and attempts
to identify a solution in
a familiar context.
Terminology in
response
Uses appropriate terms
in context
Uses appropriate terms Uses generally
appropriate terms
Attempts to use some
chemistry terms
Uses some chemistry
terms
Logical communication
Uses knowledge of
chemistry perceptively
and logically to
understand and explain
social or environmental
issues.
Uses knowledge of
chemistry logically to
understand and explain
social or environmental
issues.
Uses knowledge of
chemistry with some
logic to understand and
explain one or more
social or environmental
issues.
Identifies and explains
some chemistry
information that is
relevant to one or more
social or environmental
issues.
Shows an emerging
understanding that
some chemistry
information is relevant
to social or
environmental issues.
Ingenuity and creativity
of presentation
Uses a variety of
formats to
communicate
coherently and highly
effectively.
Uses a variety of
formats to
communicate
coherently and
effectively.
Uses different formats
to communicate with
some general
effectiveness.
Communicates basic
information to others
using one or more
formats.
Attempts to
communicate
information about
chemistry.
Knowledge and
understanding
Consistently
demonstrates a deep
and broad knowledge
and understanding of a
range of chemistry
concepts.
Demonstrates some
depth and breadth of
knowledge and
understanding of a
range of chemistry
concepts.
Demonstrates
knowledge and
understanding of a
general range of
chemistry concepts.
Demonstrates some
basic knowledge and
partial understanding
of chemistry concepts.
Demonstrates some
limited recognition and
awareness of chemistry
concepts.