Structure Of Matter

• databot with temperature probe

• IOS/Android Smart Device

• Small, sealed containers

• Heat source

• Ice cubes, Rubbing alcohol,
  Water + Salt

• Safety equipment (goggles,
  gloves, etc.)

Background

Structure of Matter

Matter is everywhere, and its unique properties help
us understand how substances behave and interact.
In this lesson, you'll explore how matter changes
between solid, liquid, and gas states and observe how
different substances respond to changes in
temperature and environment. Let’s investigate the
amazing properties of matter and uncover what
makes each material special!

Overview

What You Will Need/Prep

• Test your databot™ connection.

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

• If there are two or more
  databot™'s listed, the one
  closest to your device will be
  highlighted.

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

• Install Vizeey™ on your
  Smart device.

• Scan the QR code to load
  the experiment.

Grades: Middle School

Time: 45 Minutes

Subject: Physical Science

Topics: States of Matter, Phase
Change, Humidity, VOC

Matter exists in three primary states: solid, liquid, and
gas. Each state is determined by the arrangement and
movement of particles. Solids have particles packed
closely together, giving them a fixed shape. Liquids have
particles that move freely, allowing them to take the
shape of their container. Gases have particles that move
rapidly and spread out to fill any space. Transitions
between these states—melting, freezing, boiling, and
evaporation—are called phase changes and involve
energy transfer.

These phase changes, along with other characteristics,
are examples of physical properties. Physical properties
describe traits that can be observed or measured without
changing the material into something new. Key physical
properties include melting and boiling points, density,
and temperature responses. For example, water boils at
100°C (212°F) at sea level, transforming into steam,
while adding salt raises its boiling point. Observing these
changes helps us understand how energy impacts a
substance's behavior.

Chemical properties, in contrast, describe how
substances transform into entirely new materials during
reactions, such as rust forming on metal or wood burning
to produce ash and gas. While this lesson focuses on
physical changes, understanding the difference between
physical and chemical properties is crucial for identifying
and classifying materials.

Important Terms

Learning Objectives

In this investigation you will master the following knowledge and skills:

• Use databot’s sensors to collect, measure, and record temperature and humidity data
  accurately.

• Explore and identify the physical properties of water by observing its phase changes.

• Understand how temperature and humidity data reveal the processes of melting,
  boiling, and evaporation.

• Compare the boiling points of different substances and analyze the effects of solutes
  like salt on these properties.

• Interpret experimental data to draw conclusions about the physical properties of water,
  alcohol, and saltwater.

Matter: Anything that has mass and takes up space. It exists in different states of matter,
such as solid, liquid, and gas.

Physical Properties: Characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured
without changing its chemical composition (e.g., melting point, boiling point, density).

Chemical Properties: Characteristics that describe a material's ability to undergo a
chemical change, resulting in the formation of new substances.

Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid.

Boiling Point: The temperature at which a liquid changes into a gas.

Evaporation: The process by which a liquid turns into a gas at a temperature below its
boiling point.

Condensation: The process by which a gas turns into a liquid.

Humidity: The amount of water vapor present in the air.

Phase Change: A transition of matter from one state to another (e.g., solid to liquid, liquid
to gas).

Solute: A substance dissolved in another substance, such as salt in water.

Volatile Organic Substance (VOC): A material that easily evaporates at normal
temperatures due to its low boiling point. The concentration of VOCs is measured in ppb.

Parts Per Billion (PPB): Usually describes the concentration of something in air, water or
soil.

In this hands-on lesson, you’ll explore how substances like water, alcohol, and saltwater
change their state when heated or cooled. By observing temperature and humidity
changes, you’ll uncover the unique properties of each substance and learn how these
properties help distinguish one substance from another.

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.

This lab consists of 2 experiments.

There is a separate tab for each experiment.

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

Click the "Fix Temp Value" button to Freeze the Boiling
Point

Once you have Freeze the values, write them down in the
table

The Databot has two operating modes:

• Vizeey Mode (for use with the Vizeey app).

• Web Server Mode

To activate Vizeey Mode:

• Position the Databot with its sensors facing upward
  and turn it on.

• If the Databot’s LED glows green, it’s in Web Server
  Mode. If this happens, turn it off, adjust the orientation,
  and try again.

Good

Bad

Can you identify water from salt water or rubbing alcohol?

How does adding salt to water affect its boiling point?

What physical changes occur when ice melts into water?

Why does rubbing alcohol evaporate faster than water?

How do you think the humidity level in the container will change as the ice starts to
melt? Why might humidity increase or decrease during melting and evaporation?

What differences do you expect between water and alcohol in terms of their physical
properties? At what temperature do you think alcohol will boil compared to water?

Why is it important to make predictions before conducting an experiment? How can
this help you in the scientific inquiry process?

Understanding Physical Properties of Water

• Prepare a sealed container for the experiment.

• Place databot inside the container.

Observing Ice

The experiment will be conducted in several parts, each aimed at studying the physical
changes of water and other liquids.

• Place a small cup with ice cube into the container.

• Close the container and begin observations.

• Monitor the humidity and VOC readings.

• Record the values every 30 seconds into a table.

• Create a graph with the received data

Before starting the next experiment, be sure to ventilate the container to allow
humidity levels to equalize to room temperature.

Before starting the next experiment, be sure to ventilate the container to allow
humidity levels to equalize to room temperature.

• Prepare a sealed container for the experiment.

• Place databot inside the container.

Observing Water

• Place a cup of water into the container.

• Close the container and begin observations.

• Monitor the humidity and VOC readings.

• Record the values every 30 seconds into the table
  below.

• Create a graph with the received data

• Tap on "Structure of Matter" 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.

• Select the tab for this experiment.

• Start your experiment using:

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

• Prepare a sealed container for the experiment.

• Place databot inside the container.

Observing Alcohol

• Place a cup of rubbing alcohol into the container.

• Close the container and begin observations.

• Monitor the humidity and VOC readings.

• Record the values every 30 seconds into the table
  below.

• Create a graph with the received data.

What amazing things did you discover in these three experiment?

• Tap on "Structure of Matter" 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.

• Select the tab for this experiment.

• Start your experiment using:

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

• Tap on "Structure of Matter" 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.

• Select the tab for this experiment.

• Start your experiment using:

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

We have observed the effect of different materials on humidity in the surrounding air. Now,
let's conduct experiments to further explore the properties of liquids.

• Set up a heat source that allows you to boil water.

  • Remember to follow safety precautions while working with heat.

• Pour 100 ml of water into a glass.

• Turn on databot.

What temperature does water boil?

Boiling Point of Water

• Plug the temperature probe into Port 1.

• Place the temperature probe into the container with
  water, ensuring that it is fully submerged in the water.

• Begin heating the water and monitor the temperature.
  Make sure that the temperature probe does not touch
  the walls of the beaker during measurements.

• As soon as the water reaches its boiling point, record
  the temperature.

Glass with water

• Add salt to the water based on a ratio of 6 g salt per 100 ml
  of water.

• Restart the Vizzey experiment. Repeat heating the solution
  of water with salt and observe the temperature changes.

• When the solution begins to boil, record the temperature.

Boiling Point of Salt water

What temperature does the solution of water with salt boil?

You will not boil rubbing alcohol in this lesson. The boiling point of 70% ethyl alcohol is
about 78-80°C at normal atmospheric pressure. So, we can use this data for further
analysis.

Boiling Point of Rubbing Alcohol

Make a histogram showing the temperature at which water, water + salt and rubbing
alcohol boil.

Part 5: Concept Questions

Part 4: Data Analysis

1. How can you apply what you've learned about boiling points and humidity to real-world
   situations?

2. If you were to conduct a similar experiment with another liquid (e.g., oil or vinegar),
what do you expect to find regarding its boiling point? What factors would you consider
when designing that experim

3. How do you think changes in atmospheric pressure would affect the boiling points of
water and other liquids?

4. What surprised you most about the results of your experiments?

5. What questions do you still have after completing these experiments?