Year 5 look at reversible and non-reversible changes in science

This half term so far, we have looked at different mixtures (including solutions) and how to separate them and now the children are considering the difference between ‘reversible’ and ‘non-reversible’ changes. In doing so we have come across chemical reactions, that produce a new product and hence are non-reversible. Starting with a simple Vitamin C tablet in water and observing it fizz, we are going onto mixing bicarbonate of soda or baking powder with vinegar or water, to produce carbon dioxide - enough to inflate a rubber glove we hope! Don’t be surprised to hear requests from your children for these items to be on your shopping list! From here we will take a close look at burning, the classic non-reversible change, starting by posing the simple question, ‘How does a candle burn?’.