Activity 6: States of Matter and Intermolecular Forces

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

0°F  = 255.4 K,  32°F = 273.15 K,  70°F= 294.26 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 molecules are completely still when you get to zero degrees kelvin and they are very tightly packed next to each other.  When looking at the molecules in the simulation the Hydrogen atoms seem to be packed in and attracted to the Oxygen atoms.  When looking at the model you can clearly see that the Hydrogen atoms are clearly trying to attach to Oxygen atoms.

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.

With zero pressure in the tank oxygen is a liquid at roughly 89 degrees kelvin.  

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

This activity would definitely apply to the standard D.8.2.  These simulations helped show how atoms and molecules behave as a solid, liquid, and a gas.

D.8.2 Use the major ideas of atomic theory and molecular theory to describe physical and chemical interactions among substances, including solids, liquids, and gases

This activity would also address this science standard D.4.3 since it clearly demonstrates the solid, liquid, and gas states.

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