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Hi everyone,

We've had a very inquisitive year 5 student email through asking for assistance for a primary school project. I wondered if anyone might like to provide an answer (in language suitable for a year 5 student- 10/11 years old). Siven would like to know "How might different chemicals react?". 

Many thanks to those able to assist Siven with his project!

With best wishes,
Hannah

Imagine you have a bunch of different LEGO blocks. Each type of block is like a different chemical, and they can join together in different ways to build cool stuff or sometimes just make a mess.

When you mix certain LEGO blocks, they fit together really well and make something awesome. This is like when some chemicals mix together and create something new, like when baking soda and vinegar mix to make bubbles.

But if you try to force LEGO blocks that don't fit together, you might end up with a big pile of blocks that just don't do much. This is like when some chemicals mix and nothing exciting happens, or they might just stay separate.

Sometimes, when you mix certain chemicals, they can react really strongly. It's like if you put a LEGO block in a really tight spot where it doesn't fit at all, it might pop out or break. In chemistry, this can be like an explosion or a big release of energy.

Some common chemical reactions include:

Combustion, where fuel is burned and released energy, which can be used to drive a car or cook a BBQ;

Oxidation, for example when a old nail becomes rusty; and

Photosynthesis, where plants use energy from the Sun to grow and feed the world.

Hi everyone,

We've had a very inquisitive year 5 student email through asking for assistance for a primary school project. I wondered if anyone might like to provide an answer (in language suitable for a year 5 student- 10/11 years old). Siven would like to know "How might different chemicals react?". 

Many thanks to those able to assist Siven with his project!

With best wishes,
Hannah

Imagine you have a bunch of different LEGO blocks. Each type of block is like a different chemical, and they can join together in different ways to build cool stuff or sometimes just make a mess.

When you mix certain LEGO blocks, they fit together really well and make something awesome. This is like when some chemicals mix together and create something new, like when baking soda and vinegar mix to make bubbles.

But if you try to force LEGO blocks that don't fit together, you might end up with a big pile of blocks that just don't do much. This is like when some chemicals mix and nothing exciting happens, or they might just stay separate.

Sometimes, when you mix certain chemicals, they can react really strongly. It's like if you put a LEGO block in a really tight spot where it doesn't fit at all, it might pop out or break. In chemistry, this can be like an explosion or a big release of energy.

Some common chemical reactions include:

Combustion, where fuel is burned and released energy, which can be used to drive a car or cook a BBQ;

Oxidation, for example when a old nail becomes rusty; and

Photosynthesis, where plants use energy from the Sun to grow and feed the world.

Hi everyone,

We've had a very inquisitive year 5 student email through asking for assistance for a primary school project. I wondered if anyone might like to provide an answer (in language suitable for a year 5 student- 10/11 years old). Siven would like to know "How might different chemicals react?". 

Many thanks to those able to assist Siven with his project!

With best wishes,
Hannah