States of Matter Webquest

Introduction

https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/science/physical-science/matter-and-interactions/states-of-matter/

 

Welcome, scientists! You will be doing a project about States of Matter! Please let me know if you need any materials to conduct this project at home.

 

The four main states of matter are solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.

 

Task

States of Matter

You will be doing an observation in your own kitchen.  Using household items you will watch Earth's most important molecule, H2O, as it journeys through its three states of matter.

 

Process

Please review these links before starting this mini-project:
Quick Review of Solids, Liquids and Gases
Animated Example
How are the atoms behaving in each phase?

For this observation you will need the following items:
     - Medium sized sauce pan
     - 10 large ice cubes
     - Watch or clock
     - Kitchen oven

Objective:
     You will take the 10 ice cubes and watch them as they melt from a solid into a liquid and then evaporate into a gas.  You will need to record the amount of time it takes for the water to transition from one state to another (example: solid to liquid, liquid to gas).

Assignment:
     When you finish with the observation and recording a display poster will be made explaining what was happening with the H2O molecule as it transformed from one state to another.  Please keep in mind the following for your records and poster:
     - What are the four states of matter?
     - How many are found within this observation?
     - What is happening to molecule speed  as the water is slowing heating up?
     - What is happening to spacing of the molecules as the water is heating up?

Directions:
     -Place the ice cubes into the sauce pan.  (Record the time)
       - Watch to see when the first ice cubes begin to melt. (Record the time)
       - Watch to see when all the ice cubes have melted. (Record the time)
       - Watch to see when the water begins to boil. (Record the time)
       - Watch to see when the water is at a full boil. (Record the time)
       - Watch to see when most of the water has evaporated into a gas. (Record the time)

When you are watching the water go from a solid to a liquid to a gas please be thinking about what is happening with the molecules.  The poster you will create from this will need to dive deep into the "why's" of this phenomenon. 

 

Evaluation
                                     Started Project
(12)
Finished some of the project
(18)
Finished most of the project
(24)
Finished and refined the project
(30)
Score

States of Matter

Did the observation, at home, and recorded the times Did the observation and answered the 4 questions Did the observation and made a poster answering the questions. Did the observation, made the poster, answered the questions.  Reflected upon how the molecules were behaving at each phase.  

 

Conclusion

Please let me know if you have any questions! I am here to help you!

Be prepared to share your posters with your classmates.