Structure Of Matter 2 | databot Middle School Labs

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databot with Temperature, Light,
and VOC Sensors

IOS/Android Smart Device

Heat source (e.g., warm water or
heating pad)

Flashlight or other light source

Various materials (plastic, wood)

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

Overview

Background

What You Will Need/Prep

Test your databot™ connection.

You will be prompted to select
and connect to databot™ each
time you launch an experiment.

If there are two or more
databot™'s listed, the one
closest to your device will be
highlighted.

Study the background
information and terms and
prepare to explore!

Structure of Matter 2

This exciting lesson dives into the fascinating world of matter and its unique properties! You’ll investigate how temperature changes, light reflectivity, and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reveal the differences between various substances. Let’s uncover the secrets of matter and learn how these properties can help us identify and understand the materials around us.

Install Vizeey™ on your
Smart device.

Scan the QR code to load
the experiment.

Grades: Middle School

Time: 45 Minutes

Subject: Physical Science

Topics: Physical and Chemical
Properties, Temperature Response,
Light Reflectivity, VOCs

Materials are all around us, and each has unique properties that make it suitable for specific purposes. These properties are broadly classified into two categories: physical properties and chemical properties. Understanding these properties helps scientists and engineers identify, classify, and use materials effectively.

Physical properties can be observed or measured without altering the substance itself. Examples include color, density, light reflectivity, and how a material responds to heat. For instance, when light strikes a material, some of it reflects off the surface while the rest may be absorbed or transmitted. The amount of light reflected can reveal important information about the material’s texture, surface composition, and color. Similarly, when a material is heated, its temperature changes at a rate determined by its ability to absorb and conduct heat.

In contrast, chemical properties describe how a material reacts and transforms into a new substance. For example, when wood is exposed to fire, it undergoes combustion, releasing heat, smoke, and gases, some of which are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions are evidence of chemical change, as new substances are produced during the process.

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databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Important Terms

Learning Objectives

In this investigation you will master the following knowledge and skills:

Use databot’s sensors to collect, measure, and record data accurately.
Learn how to identify and distinguish between physical and chemical properties of
materials.
Explore how materials interact with light by measuring their light reflectivity.
Investigate how materials respond to heat by observing and recording temperature
changes.
Analyze the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as evidence of chemical
change.
Interpret experimental data to draw conclusions about the physical and chemical
properties of matter.

Physical Properties: Characteristics of a material that can be observed or measured
without changing its composition, such as color, density, reflectivity, and thermal
conductivity.

Chemical Properties: Characteristics that describe a material's ability to undergo a
chemical change, resulting in the formation of new substances.

Light Reflectivity: The ability of a material to reflect light from its surface.

Thermal Conductivity: The rate at which a material transfers heat.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Organic chemicals that can easily become gases and
are often released during chemical reactions, such as combustion. The concentration of
VOCs is measured in ppb.

Parts Per Billion (PPB): Usually describes the concentration of something in air, water or
soil.

Combustion: A chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen, releasing
energy in the form of heat and light, often accompanied by gas production.

Temperature Response: The change in temperature of a material when it absorbs or
releases heat.

In this lab, you will investigate the properties of matter by using databot sensors to observe
temperature response, light reflection, and VOC emissions. By measuring these properties,
you will understand how they help us classify and describe different types of matter.

Investigations

Physical Science

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Using Vizeey

In order to work with the experiment you need to launch the Vizeey application and click on
+ in the upper right corner.

Then select “Add experiment from QR code” and scan the QR code prepared for this
experiment. Your experiment will appear in the list.

Once in the Experiment

This lab consists of 3 experiments.

There is a separate tab for each experiment.

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

When you start the experiment you will be immediately
offered to connect to your databot. Make sure that
databot is enabled.

During the experiment, you need to record the
temperature and VOC values

Press the "Fix Temp Value" button to capture the next
values for your data table.

Once you have captured the values, write them down in
the table to avoid losing any information and prepare to
capture the values. Be fast and accurate!

The Databot has two operating modes:

Vizeey Mode (for use with the Vizeey app).
Web Server Mode

To activate Vizeey Mode:

Position the Databot with its sensors facing upward
and turn it on.
If the Databot’s LED glows green, it’s in Web Server
Mode. If this happens, turn it off, adjust the orientation,
and try again.

Good

Bad

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Does the size or type of wood affect its physical and chemical properties?

What are some characteristics that you notice make materials different from one another?

How do you think temperature response, light reflection, and VOC emissions might help us identify different types of materials?

Consider the following guiding questions to help you think critically about the experiments
you will conduct:

Temperature Response:

How do you think different materials will respond to heat?

Light Reflection:

Predict which materials will reflect the most or least light.

VOC Emissions:

Predict which materials might emit VOCs and explain why.

Part 1: Initial Observations and Questions

Part 2: Hypothesis

Part 3: Experiment Procedure and Data Analysis

In this lab, you will conduct a series of experiments to explore the properties of materials,
focusing on wood, plastic, and paper. By comparing these three materials, you aim to
uncover how their unique characteristics influence their interaction with light, heat, and fire.

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Tap on “Structure of Matter 2” in Vizeey to load the experiment.

You will be prompted to connect to databot.
- Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!
- A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

Start your experiment using:

Use these icons at the top of the screen in Vizeey to start and to pause
the experiment.

Choose a dark location for the experiment to minimize external light.

Ensure the working surface is flat and clean.

Activate Vizeey mode in databot:

(Position databot with its sensors facing upward and turn it on.)

Mount databot on a tripod, ensuring the sensors face downward at a distance of
approximately 10 cm from the table surface.

Place a light source near databot, also 10 cm from the surface, and direct it downward.

Databot

Light source

Wood

10 cm

Place the wooden cube under databot sensors. Record the observed values in a
table below.

Replace the wood with a plastic cube and record the new values.

Repeat the process with paper, noting all measurements.

Wood

Plastic

Paper

Databot

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Experiment 1. Light Reflectivity.

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Data Analysis. Experiment 1.

Material	Measured Illuminance (Lux)

Use the recorded values to create a bar graph comparing the results for wood, plastic, and paper.

Write down your observations.

Calculate the percentage of light reflected by each material using the proportion:

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Experiment 1. Light Reflectivity.

Direct the light source towards databot
sensors from the same 10 cm distance and
record the maximum light intensity.

Determine Reflected Light:

Light source

databot

10 cm

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Insert the temperature sensor to its full length into the hole and
secure it firmly.

Materials Required:

3 Databots
3 Temperature probes
Wooden Cube (with a 6 mm diameter hole for the sensor)
Plastic Cube (available for download and 3D printing )
Paper
Heat Source (e.g., warm water)

Experiment Steps:

Experiment 2: Measuring Heat Absorption

In this experiment, you will investigate how different materials absorb heat using
temperature sensors and three databots.

Wooden Cube (Databot 1):

Drill a 6 mm diameter hole into the wooden cube to fit the
temperature sensor.

Plastic Cube (Databot 2):

Follow the same steps as for the wooden cube. If you don’t have a suitable plastic cube,
download the 3D model and print it.

Paper (Databot 3):

Wrap the temperature sensor in a small piece of paper, ensuring full coverage, and
secure it gently with tape.

Tap on “Structure of Matter 2” in Vizeey to load the experiment.

You will be prompted to connect to databot.
- Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!
- A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

Start your experiment using:

Use these icons at the top of the screen in Vizeey to start and to pause
the experiment.

Connect each databot to the Vizeey app for real-time temperature monitoring.

Procedure:

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Time (s)	Temperature (°C)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240

Time (s)	Temperature (°C)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240

Time (s)	Temperature (°C)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240

Wood

Plastic

Paper

Record the initial temperature of each material using the
sensors.
Place all 3 materials near the heat source, ensuring uniform
heat exposure. (You can heat the water and put the 3
materials in at the same time)
Observe and log temperature readings at 30-second
intervals for 5 minutes.

Compare how quickly each material absorbs heat by plotting the recorded temperatures over time on a line graph.

Analyze the heat absorption rates and identify which material absorbs heat the fastest and the slowest.

Material ___________________

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Experiment 3: VOCs emission

Tap on "Structure of Matter 2" in Vizeey to load the experiment.

You will be prompted to connect to databot.
- Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!
- A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

Start your experiment using:

Use these icons at the top of the screen in Vizeey to start and to pause
the experiment.

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

In this experiment, we will observe the volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted by
different materials (wood, plastic, and paper) when exposed to fire.

Safety Precautions:

Conduct this experiment in a controlled environment under an exhaust hood
or in a well-ventilated area.
Wear heat-resistant gloves to handle materials.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies.

Place databot directly above the area where the smoke from the burning material will rise.
Ensure the databot’s VOC sensor is clean and functioning.
Position the heat source at a fixed distance from the materials to maintain consistent heating.

Testing Wood:

Place the wooden cube on the fireproof surface.
Using tongs, expose the wood to the flame for a few seconds until it begins to emit smoke.
Observe and record the VOC readings displayed by databot.

Wood

Databot

This experiment is for demonstration purposes only.

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Time (s)	VOC (ppb)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30

Time (s)	VOC (ppb)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30

Material ___________________

Testing Plastic:

Replace the wood with the plastic cube.
Follow the same process, ensuring the plastic is heated from the same distance and for the same duration.
Record the VOC readings.

Testing Paper:

Replace the plastic with a sheet of paper.
Repeat the process, ensuring identical heating conditions.
Record the VOC readings.

Time (s)	VOC (ppb)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30

Material ___________________

Compare the VOC readings for wood, plastic, and paper.

Identify which material emits the highest concentration of VOCs during combustion.

Create a histogram from the obtained values

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Experiment 3: Data Analysis

Temp Probe

VOC

Light

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Part 6: Reflection

If you were to repeat this experiment, what changes or improvements would you make
to your setup or process?

2. What did you learn about how different materials respond to temperature, light, and
VOC sensors?

3.Why is it important to understand the physical and chemical properties of matter?

Part 5: Concept Questions

Data Interpretation:

Which material had the greatest change in temperature, and what might this tell you about its properties?

2. Which material reflected the most light, and what does this indicate about its surface?

3. Did any materials emit VOCs, and what could this suggest about their chemical composition?

Investigations

Physical Science

databot Investigations | Physical Science | Structure of Matter 2

Temp Probe

VOC

Light