SPEC I

Teaching Science in Elementary Grades

(Chemistry & Biology)

1st Semester, Prelim – Module 2:

CLASSIFICATION OF MATTER

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Module Title: Classification of Matter

Introduction

Looking at our sorrounding, we find a large number of different substances from

the simplest sluminum and copper cookwares we have in our kitchen to our modern
preparation of bath gel, cosmetics, and salad dressing.
All matter exists as either pure substance or mixtures. Pure substance is a
substance made of one kind of material with a unique set of chemical and physical
properties. Mixture is a blend of two (2) or more substances that are not chemically
combined. A mixture that has visibly different parts is called a heteregenous mixture.
Examples of these are granite, “halo-halo”, and chocolate chip cookies. Other mixtures
that do not contain visibly different parts are called homogenous mixture. Common
examples are air and seawater. homogenous mixtures are also called solution.

Elements and compounds are examples of pure substances. The composition of

a pure substance is always the same, regardless ot its source. All smaple of table, for
exmaple, contain soidum cholrine combined in the same proportions by mass.

Learning Objectives

After going through this module, you should be able to:

1. Describe the different classifications of matter.
2. Differentiate (a) pure substance and mixture; (b) element and compounds;
(c) metal, non-metal and metalloid; (d) homogenous and heterogenous
mixtures; and (e) Solution, suspension and colloids.
3. Classify matter according to its different classification.

How to learn from this module?

I know that you are already excited to get started, however, there are some
tips that you must remember
✓ Take the pre-test before proceeding to the lessons. The test could give you an
idea of how much time should you allot to each lesson.
✓ Read the instructions carefully and follow the precautionary measures.

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 ✓ Before doing the activity, make sure that all the materials needed are already
prepared.
✓ Perform the simple activities before reading the discussions.
✓ If you are not sure of the meaning of some words used in this module, feel free
to consult the dictionary.
✓ Answer the post-test so that you will know how much you have learned from
the lessons.

Pre-Test

Directions: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. When matter is composed of two or more component substance which retain their
own identifying property,
a. the matter is classified as a molecular compound
b. the matter is classified as a pure substance
c. the matter is classified as a compound
d. the matter is classified as a mixture.
2. Gold is to element while _____ is to compound.
a. ethanol c. aluminum
b. rubbing alcohol d. muriatic acid
3. Which statement is TRUE regarding pure substances?
a. Pure substances maybe homogeneous or heterogeneous.
b. Pure substances have definite boiling and melting points.
c. Pure substances are physical combinations of two or more elements.
d. Pure substances can be further broken down into simpler substances.

4. Which phase of matter has definite volume but with no definite shape, wherein it
takes the shape of the container it was contained?
a. Solid b. liquid c. gases d. plasma

5. Which of the following describe the properties of metal and non-metal?

Metal Non-metal
a. Poor conductor of heat and Good conductor of heat and
electricity electricity
b. Good conductor of heat and Poor conductor of heat and
electricity electricity
c. Brittle and lack lustrous Malleable and lustrous
d. Non-malleable malleable

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 Lesson 3: Substances & Mixture

In Lesson 2, we have classified matter according to its phases: solid, liquid and
gas. But then there are other ways of grouping matter together. The diagram below
shows how matter is classified according to its composition.

Based on the diagram, matter can be classified into substances and mixtures.
Water, salt, sugar and iron nail are some examples of substances. Whereas, sugar
solution, salt solution, halu-halo and mayonnaise are examples of mixtures. Using these
examples, how can we differentiate substances from mixtures? To help you answer this
question, let us proceed to next task.
Here are some important characteristics of mixture.

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 Second, the
First, mixture is a physical components of
combination of two or more mixture can
pure substances (Recall that combine in any
salt and water are examples amount or
of pure substances). proportion.

MIXTURE

Third, since a mixture is

just a physical combination of
two or more substances then it
follows that it can as well be
separated by ordinary
physical processes e.g.
evaporation.

Fourth, the properties of the .

components of mixture are retained
in the mixture. To explain this
further, why is the color of salt
solution colorless? It is because the
water is colorless. Why is it that the
salt solution is salty? It is because of
the salt. Thus, this would mean that
the characteristics of the
components of the mixture are
retained in the mixture.

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 Lesson 4: Element & Compound

How are substances different from mixtures? Unlike

mixtures, substances cannot be separated by ordinary
physical means. For instance, the components of water
cannot be separated by just heating it. Recall, what
happened to water when you heated it. The water
evaporated. When water evaporates, its phase changes but
the composition is still the same.
How can we separate the components of salt and
water? Since the components of salt and water are
combined chemically, these can be separated by
electrolysis, which is a chemical process. Salt is composed
of sodium and chlorine while water is made up of hydrogen
and oxygen. Sodium, chlorine, hydrogen and oxygen are
elements. Fig. 3.1 Electrolysis Set-up

What are elements? Elements are pure substances. Go back to Figure 1 showing
how matter is classified according to composition. Notice that pure substances can be
grouped further into elements and compounds. Salt and water are compounds. On the
other hand, the components of compounds are elements. Compound, unlike mixture, is
a chemical combination of two or more elements thus they cannot be separated by
ordinary physical processes.

What about elements? Can elements be broken down into simpler substances? I
am so sorry to disappoint you, but elements cannot be separated by physical or even by
chemical processes. Why? Because element is the simplest form of matter!

Below is the periodic table of

elements. As you can see the
elements are arranged according to
increasing atomic number. To date,
there are already 116 elements.
Seventy-five percent of the
elements are metals while the rest
are nonmetals and metalloids.

Take a closer look at the

periodic table. Can you see the
lines that look like a ladder? Good!
Now, remember that elements to
the right of the ladder are
Fig. 3.2 Periodic Table of Elements
nonmetals while those to the left of the ladder are

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metals. Those elements that are in the ladder are identified as metalloids. Metalloids have
the characteristics of both metals and nonmetals.
What are the characteristics of metals that can be used to differentiate them from
nonmetals? Iron nail is a metal while activated carbon (charcoal) is a nonmetal. Obviously
of the two, iron will be a better conductor of electricity than charcoal. Whereas charcoal
is brittle which contrasts with the hardness of metals.

Fig. 3.3 Charcoal and Iron Nail

Now, examine your incandescent lamp. What can you see at the center of the
bulb? There is what we call a filament. Do you know that the filament is a metal? Notice
that the filament is a very thin wire. Why is this so? Because metals are ductile. Ductility
is the ability of metals to be drawn into wire. Aside from that, metals are malleable.
Malleability is the ability to be hammered into sheets without breaking.

Generally, metals are in the solid phase (with the exception of

Mercury, which is the only metal in the liquid phase) thus we could
expect metals to have high densities. It should be remembered though
that different substances have different densities. And that density can
be used as one of the bases in determining a certain substance since
this property is inherent in the substance. Below are the densities of
some common metals.

Fig. 3.4 An incandescent bulb

Element Density (g/mL)

Aluminum 2.7
Iron 7.8
Mercury 13.6

Notice that the densities of the metals are higher than 1.00 g/mL, which is the
density of water at standard conditions. Will you expect the metals to float or sink in water?
You are right! The metals (those listed above) will sink in water!

W hat will you do?

Activity No.1: Pure Substance or Mixture

1. Classify the following as a pure substance or a mixture.

a. ice
b. pineapple juice
c. vinegar
d. soft drinks

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 e. wine
f. shampoo
g. fruit salad
h. milk
i. gel
j. glue

2. What is the difference between pure substance and mixture?

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W hat will you do?

Activity No.2: Properties of Metal and Non-Metal

Materials Needed:
▪ iron nails
▪ charcoal (2 chunks will do)
▪ hammer
▪ magnet

Procedure:
1. Examine closely an iron nail and a chunk of charcoal. What differences can you
notice?
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2. Hammer the iron nail and do the same to the chunks of charcoal. What did you
notice?
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3. Determine which will be attracted by a magnet- the charcoal or the iron nail.
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Based on Activity 3.1, what are the characteristics of metals? What about the
nonmetals? Let us see. In Procedure 1, did you notice that unlike nonmetals, the metals
are shiny? They are lustrous (or they possess luster)!
Procedure 2 shows that metals are hard while nonmetals are brittle. The charcoal
easily breaks. On the other hand, you can actually hammer metals into sheets without
breaking. This characteristic of metal is known as malleability. Aside from this, metals
exhibit ductility, which is the ability to be drawn into wire.
Procedure 3 showed that metals are attracted to a magnet while nonmetals are
not. Another characteristic of metals is its ability to conduct heat and electricity. As a proof,
look at your frying pan; it is made of metal. Inside the black cable that is responsible for

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the conduction of electricity is copper, which is also a metal! On the other hand, nonmetals
are good insulators since they are not good conductors of heat and electricity.
What about the metalloids? The metalloids have the characteristics of metals and
nonmetals. If the position of the metalloid in the periodic table is nearer the nonmetal,
then it has more nonmetallic characteristics compared to its metallic properties and vice
versa.

Activity No. 3: Metal, Non-Metal or Metalloid

1. Classify the element as a metal, non-metal or a metalloid.
a. Calcium (Ca) f. Hydrogen (H)
b. Argon (Ar) g. Carbon (C)
c. Silicon (Si) h. Sodium (Na)
d. Lithium (Li) i. Chlorine (Cl)
e. Sulfur (S) j. Gold (Au)
Note: Letters in the parentheses are symbols of the elements.

2. Differentiate between substance and mixture.

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3. Cite the characteristics of metals and nonmetals

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Let’s Summarize!

I hope you had a great time reading this module. More importantly, I also hope
that you have learned key concepts regarding matter. And to help you remember the
concepts that we have discussed, I have summarized them for you.

1. The diagram below shows the classification of matter according to composition.

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 Characteristics of Metals Characteristics of Non-
metals
They are malleable. They are soft and brittle.
They are ductile. They are not malleable.
They possess luster. They are not ductile.
They are good conductors of They are good insulators.
electricity.

2. Mixture is a physical combination of two or more substances while compound is a

chemical combination or two or more elements.
3. Substances are further classified into elements and compounds.
4. Element is the simplest form of matter since it cannot be separated into simpler
substances.
5. Element can be further classified as metal, non-metal or metalloid.
6. Here are some characteristics of metal and non-metal.

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 Post-Test

Directions: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. When matter is composed of two or more component substance which retain their
own identifying property,
a. the matter is classified as a molecular compound
b. the matter is classified as a pure substance
c. the matter is classified as a compound
d. the matter is classified as a mixture.
2. Gold is to element while _____ is to compound.
a. ethanol c. aluminum
b. rubbing alcohol d. muriatic acid
3. Which statement is TRUE regarding pure substances?
a. Pure substances maybe homogeneous or heterogeneous.
b. Pure substances have definite boiling and melting points.
c. Pure substances are physical combinations of two or more elements.
d. Pure substances can be further broken down into simpler substances.

4. Which phase of matter has definite volume but with no definite shape, wherein it
takes the shape of the container it was contained?
a. Solid b. liquid c. gases d. plasma

5. Which of the following describe the properties of metal and non-metal?

Metal Non-metal
a. Poor conductor of heat and Good conductor of heat and
electricity electricity
b. Good conductor of heat and Poor conductor of heat and
electricity electricity
c. Brittle and lack lustrous Malleable and lustrous
d. Non-malleable malleable

Prepared by:

JERIEL G. MARTIREZ
Instructor

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