Phase Changes

• databot + temperature probe

• IOS/Android Smart Device

• Ice cubes or ice cube with frozen
  temperature probe

• Beaker/small metal container

• Hot plate or a controlled heat
  source.

Overview

Background

What You Will Need/Prep

• Test databot™ connection.

• You will be prompted to select
  and connect to databot™ each
  time you launch an experiment.

• If there are two or more databots
  listed, the one closest to your
  device will be highlighted.

• Study the background
  information and terms and
  prepare to explore!

Phase Changes of Water

Today, we're going to learn about the amazing world
of science! We'll explore how things change form
without becoming something new.

• Install Vizeey™ on your
  Smart device.

• Scan the QR code to load
  the experiment.

Grades: Middle School

Time: 45 - 60 Minutes

Subject: Physical Science

Topics: Physical changes, State of
matter, Phase change

Physical changes occur when a substance undergoes a
change that does not alter its chemical composition.
These changes can involve shifts in the state of matter,
as well as changes in size, shape, or appearance.
However, the chemical identity of the substance
remains the same. For instance, cutting paper into
smaller pieces, dissolving salt in water, or chocolate
melting in your hand are all examples of physical
changes.

State of matter refers to the distinct forms in which
matter exists: solid, liquid, gas, and sometimes plasma.
Each state has unique properties based on
the arrangement and movement of its particles.

Sometimes, substances can transition between these
states of matter, a process called a phase change.

A phase change is a physical process where a
substance transitions from one state of matter to
another. During this transformation, the substance's
form changes, but its chemical composition remains
unchanged. For example, when ice melts into liquid
water, both forms are still H₂O. Similarly, water boiling
into steam or water vapor involves a phase change, but
the molecular structure remains the same.

Phase changes occur due to the addition or removal of
energy, usually in the form of heat. Adding heat
increases particle movement, while cooling slows
particles down.

Important Terms

Learning Objectives

• Visualize, collect and analyze data

• Measure and record temperature

• Signs of physical changes

• Phase change of a water cube from solid to liquid and eventually to gas.

• Relationship between heat energy and state changes.

Phase change: a physical process where a substance transitions between different states
of matter. Types of phase changes: melting (solid → liquid), freezing (liquid → solid),
evaporation/boiling (liquid → gas), condensation (gas → liquid).

Physical changes: When a substance changes form, but not its composition. These
changes may include transitions between states of matter, changes in size or shape, or the
mixing of substances without a chemical reaction.

States of Matter: The 4 states a substance can take on:

• solid (particles are tightly packed and vibrate in fixed positions. Solids have a definite
  shape and volume);

• liquid (particles are close but can slide past each other, allowing liquids to take the
  shape of their container while maintaining a fixed volume);

• gas (particles are far apart and move freely, filling the entire space of their container.
  Gases have no fixed shape or volume);

• plasma (exists at extremely high temperatures. In plasma, the atoms are ionized,
  meaning they have lost or gained electrons. Examples of plasma include the sun,
  lightning, and fluorescent lights).

This lab activity provides a hands-on experience with
phase changes as students observe changes in state
from a solid to a liquid, then from a liquid to a gas while
monitoring temperature.

In order to work with the experiment you need to launch the vizeey application and click on
+ in the upper right corner.

Then select “Add experiment from QR code” and scan the QR code prepared for this
experiment. Your experiment will appear in the list.

Press this button to start

the experiment.

Using Vizeey

When you start the experiment you will be immediately
offered to connect to your databot. Make sure that the
databot is enabled.

Don’t forget to check that the temperature probe is
connected to the Temp 1 port.

During the experiment, you need to record the temperature values every 30 seconds.

Press the "Fix Temp Value" button every 30 seconds to capture the next values for your
data table.

Once you have captured the values, write them down in the table to avoid losing any
information and prepare to capture the values at the next 30 second mark. Be fast and
accurate!

• Here you will see a graph of temperature
  change over time.

• The temperature value you can
  fix at the current moment by
  pressing the button.

• Current temperature

• General information
  about the experiment

• Stopwatch from the start of the
  program (If you want to reset the timer
  to 0 you need to restart the experiment).

Once in the Experiment

Melting Ice: What do you think will happen to the temperature inside the container as the
ice melts: increase, decrease, or stay the same during the melting process?

Prediction:

Part 2: Hypothesis

Part 1: Initial Observations and Questions

Part 3: Experiment Procedure

• Turn on databot (using the small button on the left side) and connect the temperature
  probe. Open the Vizeey app on your smart device.

• Tap on "Phase Changes of Water" in Vizeey to load the experiment.

• You will be prompted to connect to databot.

• • Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!

  • A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

• Start your experiment using:

• Use these icons at the top of the screen in Vizeey to start and to pause the
  experiment.

Experiment Steps

Step 1: Initial Measurements (Ice as a Solid)

• Record the initial temperature

  • As soon as you start the experiment, you have a timer running. Use the button

to fix the temperature values every 30 seconds.

• Observe and note the appearance and state of the ice cube.

Step 2: Begin Heating the Beaker

• Turn on the hot plate to a low or medium setting.

• Continue to fix and record the temperature every 30 seconds.

• Watch for physical changes in the ice cube as it begins to melt.

Step 3: Observe Melting (Solid to Liquid)

• Continue recording data during the melting process.

• Note the temperature when the ice first starts melting and when it has completely
  turned to liquid.

Step 4: Heat the Liquid Water

• Keep heating the beaker after all the ice has melted.

• Record the temperature as the liquid water heats up. Note the temperature changes.

Step 5: Boiling (Liquid to Gas)

• Continue heating until the water begins to boil.

• Record the temperature when the first bubbles appear and when boiling becomes
  vigorous.

The temperature should remain constant, even as water changes into steam.

Part 3: Experiment Procedure

Data Collection Table

Step 6: Stop the Experiment

• Turn off the hot plate once boiling has been observed for 1-2 minutes.

• Carefully remove tempeature probe from the beaker and allow the setup to cool.

• Save the recorded data from the Vizeey app for analysis.

Part 4: Data Analysis and Concept Questions

• Create a temperature vs. time graph (phase
  change diagram) using your recorded data.

• Label the sections of the graph:

  • Flat sections for melting and boiling.

  • Sloped sections for heating the liquid water.

Part 5: Reflection

1. What surprised you most about the phase change process during this experiment?

2. Did the data you received align with your predictions? Why or why not?

3. Can you think of situations where understanding phase changes would be important?