Physics Classroom Phase Change Activity
Physics Classroom Phase Change Activity
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Phase Change
Purpose:
To describe how a sample of water, starting as ice at -100°C, behaves at the particle and
the macroscopic level as heat is added to it at a constant rate.
Directions:
Record the temperature every 10 seconds. Make observations of the degree of structure,
the particle movement, and the intermolecular forces for the three phases of matter and for
the two phase transitions. Use the data to answer the questions in the Analysis section.
10 90 170 250
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Analysis Questions:
1. Identify the phase of matter – solid, liquid, or gas – that …
a. … has the greatest amount of structure:
b. … has the greatest amount of random motion of particles:
c. … changes its temperature at the lowest rate:
d. … has a shape that is independent of the container:
e. … has no intermolecular forces:
f. … has the strongest intermolecular forces:
g. … has a shape and volume determined by the container:
h. … the particles occupy the entire volume of the container:
i. … the particles are close together but without any organization:
2. Consider the Particle Diagrams A, B, and C. Match each to the phase of matter.
Phase ®
3. TRUE or FALSE:
Adding heat to water always causes its temperature to increase.
If false, describe the evidence from the lab that refutes the statement.
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4. Use data Table 3 to plot the temperature as a function of time. Draw five distinct,
connecting lines on the graph with clear end points. We refer to this as a heating curve.
5. Place the following labels on the five distinct lines of the above graph to show the three
phases and the two phase transitions: solid liquid gas melting boiling
7. Circle the answers: What does the added heat do to water when the temperature is …
a. - 30°C? Change the temperature Weaken IM Forces Both of these
b. 0°C Change the temperature Weaken IM Forces Both of these
c. 40°C Change the temperature Weaken IM Forces Both of these
d. 100°C Change the temperature Weaken IM Forces Both of these
e. 140°C Change the temperature Weaken IM Forces Both of these
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