Natural Resources -> Synthetic Materials
What is a synthetic material?
A material made or significantly changed by humans through chemical or industrial processes.
What is a physical property?
A characteristic that can be observed or measured without creating a new substance.
In a chemical reaction, what are the starting substances called?
Reactants
Give one example of a synthetic material used in medicine.
Synthetic drugs/medicines, medical plastics, artificial materials, etc.
What is evidence?
Information or observations that support a claim or conclusion.
Synthetic materials come from what general source?
Natural resources.
What is a chemical property?
A characteristic describing how a substance can change into a new substance.
What are the substances produced by a chemical reaction called?
Products
Give one example of a synthetic material used in food production or packaging.
Food packaging, food additives, preservatives, etc.
Why is evidence important when making a scientific claim?
Evidence helps determine whether a claim is supported by reliable information.
Name one natural resource that can be used to make synthetic materials.
Examples include petroleum, natural gas, plants, minerals, etc.
Is the ability of a material to bend a physical or chemical property?
Physical property.
True or False: Products of a chemical reaction always have the same properties as the reactants.
False
Why might society develop an alternative fuel?
To reduce dependence on certain resources, reduce pollution, improve efficiency, or meet energy needs.
A website says a new plastic is "the strongest plastic ever made." What should you look for before believing the claim?
Look for test results, data, reliable sources, repeated trials, and information about how the material was tested.
Explain how a natural resource can be changed into a synthetic material.
Humans process or chemically change materials from natural resources to create materials with desired properties.
Why can scientists use properties to classify materials?
Different substances have different observable and measurable properties that allow them to be grouped or identified.
A substance reacts and produces a new substance with a different color and odor. What does this evidence suggest?
A chemical change/reaction likely occurred because new properties appeared.
Why might different people have different opinions about using a new technology?
People have different needs, desires, values, costs, and concerns.
Scientists test three materials for strength. Material A supports 10 kg, B supports 25 kg, and C supports 15 kg. Which material has the strongest evidence for being useful in a structure requiring high strength?
Material B.
Explain how the development and use of synthetic materials can impact society. Give one positive and one negative impact.
Answers vary. Example: Synthetic medicines can improve health, while plastic waste can harm the environment.
A material is strong, lightweight, flexible, and waterproof. Explain why these properties would make it useful for a particular product.
Answers vary. Students should connect the properties to a function.
Explain why the properties of the products can be different from the properties of the reactants.
A chemical process rearranges atoms to form new substances. The new substances have different structures and therefore different properties.
A new synthetic fuel is developed. It is cleaner but more expensive. Explain why society might disagree about whether it should be used.
Some people may value environmental benefits, while others may be more concerned about cost, availability, or practicality.
You need to design a lightweight bridge. Explain how you would use evidence about material properties to choose the best material.
Students should explain that they would compare evidence about properties such as strength, weight, flexibility, durability, and cost, then select the material that best meets the structure's needs.