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Item SC069007: When a chemical reaction occurs, the characteristic properties of the products are different than the characteristic properties of the reactants. (This item used a table to show the properties of the substances.)

A student determines the density, solubility, and boiling point of two liquids, Liquid 1 and Liquid 2. Then he stirs the two liquids together and heats them. After stirring and heating the liquids, two different liquids form, Liquid 3 and Liquid 4. Then the student determines the density, solubility, and boiling point of Liquids 3 and 4. He concludes that a chemical reaction occurred. Here are his results:

  Density (g/mL) Soluble in Water Boiling Point (°C)
 
Before stirring and heating Liquid 1 0.96 Yes 164
Liquid 2 0.81 Yes 118
 
After stirring and heating Liquid 3 0.87 Yes 166
Liquid 4 1.00 Yes 100

How does the student know that a chemical reaction has occurred?

  1. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because
    Liquid 3 has different properties than Liquid 4.
  2. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because
    Liquid 1 has different properties than Liquid 2.
  3. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because
    Liquids 3 and 4 have different properties than Liquids 1 and 2.
  4. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because
    a chemical reaction always occurs when two liquids are mixed together.
(Modified from IQWST)

Pre-Test

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 362
6–8
n = 362
9–12
n = 0
Male
n = 201
Female
n = 161
English
n = 335
Other
n = 27
A. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

Liquid 3 has different properties than Liquid 4.
9% 9% NAN% 11% 6% 9% 15%
B. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

Liquid 1 has different properties than Liquid 2.
12% 12% NAN% 11% 12% 11% 19%
C. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

Liquids 3 and 4 have different properties than Liquids 1 and 2.
72% 72% NAN% 72% 72% 73% 56%
D. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

a chemical reaction always occurs when two liquids are mixed together.
7% 7% NAN% 5% 9% 7% 11%

Post-Test

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 361
6–8
n = 361
9–12
n = 0
Male
n = 197
Female
n = 164
English
n = 333
Other
n = 28
A. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

Liquid 3 has different properties than Liquid 4.
6% 6% NAN% 6% 5% 5% 11%
B. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

Liquid 1 has different properties than Liquid 2.
7% 7% NAN% 9% 6% 6% 21%
C. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

Liquids 3 and 4 have different properties than Liquids 1 and 2.
80% 80% NAN% 77% 83% 81% 61%
D. The student knows that a chemical reaction has occurred because

a chemical reaction always occurs when two liquids are mixed together.
7% 7% NAN% 8% 5% 7% 7%