Lab Assignment#4 States of Matter: Basics

This week we are doing a shorter lab about the phases of matter. Please see thesimulation on PhETLinks to an external site.or embedded below.

1. Open the simulation and select the tab labelled "States."
2. Click through the different states (Solid, Liquid, Gas) while observing Neon.
   • Neon is selected by default and is light blue/ cyan in color.
   • Question 1:Describe the primary differences as you change phases.
3. Reset via the yellow button.
4. Select "Water" and once again flip through the various states of matter.
   • Question 2:Describe how water acts as you go through the various phase changes.
   • Question 3:There should be a large difference between how water and neon behave when they are solid. What is this difference? Is it one you have observed in real life? If so, where?
5. Reset again.
6. Select oxygen.
7. Apply heat by grabbing the Heat/Cool slider and sliding it up.
   • Question 4:At some point the Oxygen undergoes a phase change. What phase does it change into and at what temperature? How did you know that the phase change occurred?
8. Apply some more heat to the Oxygen.
   • Question 5:At some point the Oxygen undergoes a phase change. What phase does it change into and at what temperature? How did you know that the phase change occurred?