C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Matter & Materials·conceptual

Reversible Changes

Demonstrate that dissolving, mixing, and changes of state are reversible changes where no new materials are formed

Suggested ages 9–10

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Learning journey

Your child is exploring how materials behave and change — investigating which substances dissolve in water, learning to separate mixtures, and distinguishing between changes that can be reversed and those that create entirely new materials.

Evidence of understanding

  • Define a reversible change as one where the original materials can be recovered
  • Give at least three examples of reversible changes: melting, freezing, dissolving, evaporating
  • Explain how to reverse each example (e.g. freeze melted chocolate, evaporate a solution)

Assessment prompt

Can Reversible Changes explain that melting chocolate or dissolving sugar can be undone — you can get the original material back — because these are reversible changes?

Standards alignment

Y5.Sci.PCM.5GB · uk-nc-2013

Reversible changes

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2