Item SC067003: When two liquids are mixed together and a solid forms, the solid is a new substance that was formed during a chemical reaction between the two liquids.

A student mixes two different liquids together. After mixing the liquids, a solid substance forms that cannot be turned back into the starting liquids. The student claims that a chemical reaction occurred. Why is the student correct?

  1. Because a solid substance is always formed during a chemical reaction
  2. Because a new substance is always formed during a chemical reaction
  3. Because a chemical reaction always occurs when two substances are mixed together
  4. Because the products of a chemical reaction can never be turned back into the starting substances
Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Language
6–8 9–12 Male Female Primary Language is English Primary Language is not English
A. Because a solid substance is always formed during a chemical reaction 9% 9% 9% 10% 8% 9% 13%
B. Because a new substance is always formed during a chemical reaction 39% 37% 41% 40% 38% 40% 34%
C. Because a chemical reaction always occurs when two substances are mixed together 17% 18% 16% 17% 17% 16% 23%
D. Because the products of a chemical reaction can never be turned back into the starting substances 35% 36% 34% 34% 36% 35% 30%