Zachary Moses 

Honors Chemistry 

Mrs. Crosson 

20 September, 2018 

Lab Report 

The purpose of this lab was to observe the characteristics of the physical traits and changes in 

matter. 

Procedure 

(​ from Prentice Hall Chemistry Laboratory Manual, Pages 25-31) 

Materials  

-Safety Goggles 

- 1 magnet 

- 6 small test tubes 

- test tube rack 

- 1 100 mL beaker 

- Bunsen burner and rubber hosing 

- gas valve 

- Watch Glass 

- Crucible tongs 

- Magnesium ribbon 
-Iron filings 

- Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate 

- Sodium Chloride 

- Sucrose 

- distilled water 

1. Examine the state, color, and odor of the Magnesium ribbon, Iron filings, Sodium Hydrogen 

Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, and Sucrose, and record observations.

2. Run a magnet over each substance to test its magnetic attraction, and record results. 

3. To test the solubility, put a small amount of each compound into separate beakers, fill each 

beaker with 3 mL of water, and flick to initiate the dissolving. Record observations. 

Data Table: Physical Properties of Matter 

Substance  Physical State  Color  Odor  Dissolves In  Effects of 

and Formula  water  Magnet 

Iron Filings,  Solid  Black  No  No  Yes 

Fe 

Sodium  Solid  White  No  No  No 

Hydrogen 
Carbonate, 
NaHCO​3 

Sodium  Solid  White  No  Yes  No 

Chloride 
NaCI 

Sucrose  Solid  White  No  Yes  No 

C​12​H​22​O​11 

Magnesium  Solid  Silver  No  No  No 

Mg 
 Results 

In this experiment, we observed the state, color, odor, solubility, and magnetic attraction of each 

substance. All of the substances used, were solids with no odors. The Iron filings were black, 

insoluble, and they were the only noticeable magnetic substance that we used. Sodium Hydrogen 

Carbonate was white and insoluble. Sodium chloride was also white but soluble, as was sucrose 

(sugar). Finally magnesium was silver and insoluble.  

Scientific conclusion 

This experiment helped us to identify the physical traits of compounds and elements. It also 

furthered our insight on the physical reactions of compounds with other compounds, and will allow 

us to differentiate physical reactions from chemical reactions. Furthermore, this lab taught us how 

to work safely and intentionally, and taught us how to work with bunsen burners.