MS-PS1-2

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Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

Clarification statement: Examples of chemical reactions could include burning of a wooden splint, souring of milk and decomposition of sodium bicarbonate.

Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to analysis of the following properties: density, melting point, boiling point, solubility, flammability, color change, gas production and odor.

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-PS1-2 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test	Hard-Boiled Eggs	Question 40
Spring 2025 Grade 8 Test	Maple Syrup Production	Question 5
	Rust	Question 24
	Rust	Question 26
Spring 2024 Grade 8 Test	The Chemistry of Propane	Question 50
Middle school sample clusters	Investigating Chemical Reactions	Question 1
	Investigating Chemical Reactions	Question 4

Vocabulary

Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard

• analyze and interpret data
• atom
• boiling point
• bulk quantity
• burning
• characteristic property
• chemical property
• chemical reaction
• color change
• data
• decomposition
• density
• evidence
• flammability
• gas production
• investigation
• melting point
• molecule
• new substance
• odor
• physical property
• property
• rearrange
• solubility
• souring
• substance

From released test questions

• bunsen burner – Sample
• chemical – Spring 2025
• chemical change – Spring 2026
• chemical formula – Spring 2025
• claim – Spring 2026, Spring 2024
• combustion – Spring 2024
• energy – Spring 2024
• experiment – Spring 2025
• explanation – Spring 2025
• gas – Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Sample
• heat – Spring 2024
• light – Spring 2024
• liquid – Spring 2026, Spring 2025, Sample
• mixture – Sample
• model – Spring 2025
• observation – Spring 2026, Spring 2025, Sample
• procedure – Spring 2025
• product (of a reaction) – Spring 2024
• reactant – Spring 2024
• reaction – Spring 2025, Sample
• safety equipment – Spring 2025, Sample
• safety goggles – Sample
• safety procedure – Spring 2025, Sample
• solid – Spring 2026, Spring 2025
• submerged – Spring 2025
• temperature – Sample
• temperature probe – Sample
• test tube – Spring 2025, Sample
• thermal energy – Sample
• water vapor – Spring 2025

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-PS1-2 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Given information about a reaction, identify the statement, from those provided, that provides evidence that a chemical reaction took place. Sample Investigating Chemical Reactions Question 1, Sample Investigating Chemical Reactions Question 4

Level 2: Given a chemical reaction, identify properties of the substances that are different before and after the reaction has taken place. Spring 2026 Question 40, Spring 2025 Question 24, Spring 2024 Question 50

Level 3: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred. Spring 2025 Question 5, Spring 2025 Question 26

Level 4: Plan and conduct an investigation to gather, analyze, and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-PS1-2.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-PS1-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Analyze and interpret data to determine similarities and differences in findings.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
  • (NYSED) Each substance has characteristic physical and chemical properties (for any bulk quantity under given conditions) that can be used to identify it.
• PS1.B: Chemical Reactions
  • Substances react chemically in characteristic ways. When substances react, the atoms that make up the molecules rearrange, forming new substances with different properties.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Patterns
  • Macroscopic patterns are related to the nature of microscopic and atomic-level structure.

Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Chemical Reactions