Wk 1 PhET Simulation and Observation Guide

CHM/110 v8

PhET Observation Guide: States of Matter

CHM/110 v8

Page 2 of 3

PhET Observation Guide: States of Matter

Use this guide to help you complete the PhET simulation: States of Matter.

Simulation

Visit the States of Matter: Basics simulation and then complete the following steps.

Click the play button on the first page of the simulation.

Click on the States icon from the States of Matter: Basics home screen.

1. Select the radio button for Water from the Atoms & Molecules Menu on the top right.

Select the Solid button. Observe the atomic structure of water as a solid. Note the reading on the thermometer near the top of the container.

a. Record the temperature when you select Solid:

Write 2-3 sentences explaining your observations about water molecules as a solid.

Select the Liquid button. Observe the atomic structure of water as a liquid. Note the reading on the thermometer near the top of the container.

b. Record the temperature of the thermometer when you select Liquid:

c. Write 2-3 sentences explaining your observations about water molecules as a liquid.

Select the Gas button. Observe the atomic structure of the water as a gas. Note the reading on the thermometer near the top of the container.

d. Record the temperature of the thermometer when you select Gas:

e. Write 2-3 sentences explaining your observations about water molecules as a gas.

Cool the container by clicking and holding the slider to “Cool” under the container. Cool the sample until the thermometer reaches 50 K. Record your observations. Continue to cool the sample to the lowest possible reading. Observe and record the lowest reading and pay attention to the change in motion of the molecules as you do this.

f. What was your observation when the water molecules were cooled to 50 K?

g. What is the lowest possible cooling temperature?

h. What did you observe when the water molecules were cooled to their lowest possible temperature?

Heat the container by clicking and holding the slider to “Heat.” Heat the sample until the thermometer reaches 100 K. Record your observations. Continue to heat the sample to 500 K. Observe and record the reading and pay attention to the change in motion of the molecules as you do this.

i. What did you observe when the water molecules were heated to 100 K?

j. What did you observe when the water molecules were heated to 500 K?

Connecting Ideas

Now that you have explored water as a solid, liquid, and gas, let’s think about how these ideas support some chemistry concepts.

The learning goal for this week is: Classify matter, including its physical and chemical properties, the structure of atoms, and the relationships between elements as organized in the Periodic Table of Elements. Use what you know about the learning goal and respond to the following prompts:

· Identify which parts of the learning goal you explored in this PhET observation guide.

· Which parts of the learning goal were not addressed in this observation guide?

· In 2-3 sentences, explain what you learned about classifying matter, including physical and chemical properties, from this observation guide.

Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2025 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.