Activity 6: States of Matter and Intermolecular Forces

1. Convert 0°F, 32°F, 70°F, and 212°F to Kelvin

0 F= 255.35 K
32 F= 273.15 K
70 F= 294.25 K
212 F= 373.15 K

2. Complete the Teaching Idea: States of Matter Simulation Lab by Kelly Vaughan. Complete the lab worksheet as if you were a student, and then post this on your blog. You can scan it or just take a picture of it.

 3. In the States of Matter simulation, choose the Solid, Liquid, and Gas Tab at the top of the screen. Choose the water molecule and cool the water to 0 K. Describe how the water molecules are aligned and attracted to each other. Which atoms are attracted to which other atoms?

The hydrogen atoms are trying to connect to the oxygen atoms while creating a circular pattern. The molecules have some space between each other but they are still pretty close together.

4. Switch to the Phase Changes Tab on the States of Matter simulation. Notice how on the bottom right there is a small red dot that indicates where the system is at as far as temperature, pressure and state of matter. Play with the simulation to notice changes, notice that when you push down the pressure can go way up and explode the box. On your blog, report a temperature and pressure required to make oxygen a liquid. This is sometimes how the oxygen exists in pressurized oxygen tanks, perhaps like ones you may use to go diving.

Temperature: 278 K

Pressure: 25 ATM

5. List and describe at least two Science Standards that this activity addresses.

·         D.4.3. Understand that substances can exist in different states-solid, liquid, gas

·         D.4.4 Observe and describe changes in form, temperature, color, speed, and direction of objects and construct explanations for the changes

I feel that both of these standards fit the activity almost perfectly. One the first simulation we looked at water and how it exists in different states and how the molecules move and change as you add heat or decrease heat and move from one state to another.