Turn your students into science detectives with this NO PREP, engaging, real-world investigation focused on why some liquids conduct electricity while others do not. In this case file activity, students analyze conductivity test results, compare salt water, sugar water, vinegar, baking soda, tap water, and distilled water, evaluate brightness patterns, rank possible causes, and build a scientific case to solve the mystery of what allows electricity to flow through certain solutions.

Instead of passively reading about ions and electric current, students actively investigate, analyze patterns, and reason through the evidence to uncover how dissolved substances form charged particles that complete a circuit. This activity makes abstract chemistry concepts interactive, visual, and easy to understand while strengthening critical thinking and literacy skills.

✅ NO PREP, no formatting, no issues.
Simply download and go. Includes all instructions, answer key, rubric, and background reading students need to solve the case. This mystery is included inside my Chemistry in Everyday Life Mystery Activity Bundle.

10-Part Activity Breakdown

Part 1 – Mission Briefing:
Students are introduced to a case involving a simple circuit tester and surprising results when different liquids are tested for conductivity.

Part 2 – Background Reading:
Students build foundational knowledge about electric current, circuits, ions, charged particles, salts, acids, bases, and why some dissolved substances conduct electricity while others do not.

Part 3 – Evidence Log:
Students examine 10 detailed evidence cards related to salt water brightness, sugar solution results, vinegar conductivity, baking soda reactions, distilled vs tap water comparisons, temperature effects, and repeatable test patterns.

Part 4 – Suspect Ranking:
Students rank possible explanations (dissolved ions, neutral molecules, temperature effects, water movement, metal contamination) and justify their reasoning using scientific evidence.

Part 5 – Pathway Tracking:
Students trace how electrical energy travels from power source → through wires → into solution → through moving charged particles → completing the circuit.

Part 6 – Impact Analysis:
Students analyze how particle movement, ion concentration, and solution type affect circuit completion and brightness.

Part 7 – The Big Question:
Students explain why some liquids conduct electricity while others do not using evidence from the case.

Part 8 – CER Writing:
Students construct a scientific argument using Claim–Evidence–Reasoning.

Part 9 – Solutions & Action Plan:
Students propose strategies for safely testing conductivity and explain how understanding ions applies to real-world chemistry.

Part 10 – Reflection:
Students reflect on how chemistry explains everyday electrical behavior in liquids.

What Students Will Learn

• What it means for a liquid to conduct electricity
• How electric current completes a circuit
• What ions are and why they matter
• Why salts, acids, and bases form ions in water
• Why sugar dissolves but does not conduct
• Why distilled water conducts poorly
• How ion concentration affects brightness
• How temperature affects particle motion
• How to use Claim–Evidence–Reasoning (CER) to support scientific explanations
• How chemistry connects to real-world applications

This activity blends chemistry, environmental science, Earth science, critical thinking, and literacy skills into one high-interest, structured lesson that keeps students thinking like real-world chemical investigators.

This Mystery Is Perfect for:

• Chemistry in Everyday Life units
• Solutions and mixtures lessons
• Acids, bases, and salts units
• Electricity and circuits cross-curricular lessons
• Physical science classes
• Sub plans, review days, or project-based learning

No prep, no formatting, no issues.

Simply download, print (or upload to your class site) and you're all set.

What’s Included

• A complete student case file with guided worksheets for every step of the investigation
• 10 detailed evidence cards based on real-world chemistry issues --> Evidence cards include two versions: one with images and one without images
• A full teacher answer key with sample responses and grading support
• A full marking rubric that covers all key aspects of the mystery activity

Why Teachers Love This Resource

• Fully structured and print-and-go – Everything is ready to use with clear directions and built-in scaffolding
• High engagement without extra classroom management – The detective format naturally hooks students
• Real-world relevance students immediately understand
• Builds both science and ELA skills – Includes analysis, explanation, and CER writing
• Flexible for any schedule – Use in one class period, over two days, or as a mini-project

Time Required

• 2 class periods
• Can be extended into a 3-day mini-project

The following Mystery Activities can be found inside my Chemistry in Everyday Life Mystery Activity Bundle.

1. The Acid Rain Mystery
2. The Household Cleaning Products Reaction Mystery
3. The Conductivity Case Mystery
4. The Energy Release Mystery
5. The Phase Change Puzzle Mystery
6. The Missing Mass Mystery
7. The Ozone Layer Mystery
8. The Plastic Breakdown Mystery
9. The Solubility Surprise Mystery
10. The Spoiled Food Mystery

Google Classroom and Distance Learning Ready

• This resource is perfect for in-class or distance learning and integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom.
• It automatically creates a copy of the reading and places it directly into your Google Drive with a single click.
• Purchase → Open → Click → Assign to your students
• The reading also includes a Microsoft Word and PDF version.
• Having all three options allows you to assign the activity without worrying about formatting issues, and ensures access for all students regardless of device or learning environment.

No prep, no formatting, no issues. Simply download, print (or upload), and you're all set.

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If you have any questions please feel free to send me an email - devon@teachwithfergy.com