Classroom Resources: States of Matter

1 – 25 of 36 Classroom Resources

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  Chemistry Basics, Physical Properties, Physical Change, Observations, Identifying an Unknown, Lab Safety, Molecules & Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion, Solutions, Conductivity, Melting Point, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion | High School

  Activity: Animation Activity: Physical Properties and Particle Interaction

  In this activity, students will view an animation that explores the relationship between physical properties and particle-level interactions. Particle diagrams of common household substances are used to illustrate that forces of attraction influence melting points. Similarly, particle diagrams of the same substances dissolved in water are used to compare their conductivity in solution.

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  Colligative Properties, Boiling Point Elevation, Freezing Point Depression, Concentration, Solute & Solvent, Boiling Point, Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Molecular Motion, Graphing, Physical Properties, Heat, Temperature | High School

  Simulation: Colligative Properties

  In this simulation, students will investigate the effects of different solutes, and different amounts of those solutes, on the boiling point and freezing point of a solution. Students will see particle-level animations of boiling and freezing with different types and amounts of solutes, as well as graphical representations of the results of each trial.

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  Colligative Properties, Boiling Point Elevation, Freezing Point Depression, Concentration, Solute & Solvent, Boiling Point, Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Molecular Motion, Graphing, Physical Properties, Heat, Temperature | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: The Effect of Solutes on Boiling and Freezing Point

  In this activity, students will use a colligative properties simulation to investigate the effects of different solutes, and different amounts of those solutes, on the boiling point and freezing point of a solution. Students will see particle-level animations of boiling and freezing with different types and amounts of solutes, as well as graphical representations of the results of each trial.

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  Heat, Specific Heat, Phase Changes, Intermolecular Forces | High School

  Activity: "It's a Phase" Puzzles

  In this activity, students will complete either a crossword puzzle or a word search puzzle for common vocabulary terms related to the topics of phase changes and heat transfer. This activity provides an opportunity for students to increase their familiarity with the terms that they will be expected to use when learning about thermochemistry.

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  History, Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change | Middle School, High School

  Video: Spellbound Episode 1—A Sign on the Door: Ahmed Zewail, Ph.D.

  Produced for the 2011 International Year of Chemistry, the video series Spellbound, tells the story of scientists whose childhood curiosity about everyday things helped them launch careers in the lab, win Nobel Prizes and make other achievements. Their early childhood experiences may encourage young people into careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This episode features Ahmed Zewail, Ph.D.

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  Physical Properties, Covalent Bonding, Electronegativity, Polarity, Molecular Geometry, Intermolecular Forces, Solubility | Middle School, High School

  Activity: The Chemistry of Water Video Questions

  In this lesson, students will watch a video and answer questions about how the molecular geometry and polarity of water give rise to many of its unusual physical properties, including its relatively high boiling point and its ability to dissolve some substances but not others.

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  Ionic Bonding, Naming Compounds, Molecular Formula, Ions, Ionic Radius, Solubility, Melting Point, Physical Properties | High School

  Activity: My Name is Bond, Ionic Bond

  In this lesson, students will demonstrate their knowledge of ionic bond strength using a “brackets” activity. Pairs of students start the activity playing a game of “Ionic Compound War” to build eight compounds. Then then transfer the compounds to a “bracket” and use their knowledge of ionic bonding, along with a solubility chart, to predict the strongest and weakest bond between four pairs of ionic substances.

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  Ionic Bonding, Naming Compounds, Molecular Formula, Ions, Ionic Radius, Solubility, Melting Point, Physical Properties | High School

  Activity: Ionic Bonding Brackets

  In this lesson, students will demonstrate their knowledge of ionic bond strength and its relationship to the properties of melting point and solubility using a “brackets” activity. After analyzing the ionic charge and radius to predict the strongest and weakest bond between four pairs of ionic substances, they will then determine which will be the least soluble.

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  Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Molecular Geometry, Melting Point, Boiling Point | High School

  Activity: Examining the Strength of Intermolecular Forces of Attraction

  In this activity, students will be able to understand the strength of the attractions of the three intermolecular forces (IMFs) and use this information to help identify physical properties of molecules (such as melting point, boiling point or states of matter).

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  Half Lives, Radioactive Isotopes, Radiation, Phase Changes | High School

  Activity: Radioactive Dating: The Demise of Frosty

  In this activity students will investigate the idea that carbon dating is based on gathering evidence in the present and extrapolating it to the past. Students will use a simple graph to extrapolate data to its starting point and then pool the data to make a graph that simulates half-life. Students will be introduced to solving mathematical problems that involve half-life.

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  Intermolecular Forces, Phase Changes | High School

  Activity: The Behavior of Solids and Liquids

  In this activity, students will be able to explore and explain behaviors of liquids and solids based on the individual particles in the states of matter

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  Molecular Motion, Phase Changes | Middle School

  Activity: Atoms in Motion

  In this activity, students will explore how particles that make up matter are in constant motion. The students will use an online PhET simulation to compare the ways that atoms and molecules move in samples of solids, liquids, and gases. This activity will help students improve their understanding of the particle level.

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  Phase Changes, Molecular Motion | Middle School, High School

  Simulation: States of Matter and Phase Changes

  In this simulation, students will participate in a 10 question quiz. Some questions will challenge students to analyze data to identify the correct state of matter for a specific sample, and then connect the chosen state with an animated particle diagram. In addition, students will examine the behavior of particles in an animated sample as they undergo a phase change, and must correctly identify the change that occurs.

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  Phase Changes, Molecular Motion | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: States of Matter and Phase Changes

  In this simulation, students will participate in a 10 question quiz. Some questions will challenge students to analyze data to identify the correct state of matter for a specific sample, and then connect the chosen state with an animated particle diagram. In addition, students will examine the behavior of particles in an animated sample as they undergo a phase change, and must correctly identify the change that occurs.

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  Molecular Motion, Physical Properties | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Categorizing States of Matter

  In this activity students will analyze both written statements and images that describe the properties of a solid, liquid or gas. Students will determine which state of matter the description best describes and categorize it accordingly.

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  Distillation, Physical Change, Separating Mixtures, Phase Changes | Middle School

  Activity: Distillation in Survival Mode

  In this activity, students will investigate methods for purifying water as they consider a survival based situation that requires clean drinking water. Students will investigate processes such as boiling and distillation, as well as review the phase changes within the water cycle.

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  Phase Changes, Elements, Mixtures | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Visualizing States of Matter

  In this activity, students will view, sort and classify pure substances and mixtures into the 3 common states of matter found in the laboratory. Students will also discuss their classification system with their teacher and peers.

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  Physical Properties, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Matter, Phase Changes | Elementary School

  Activity: Analyzing Root Beer Floats

  In this activity students will observe the states of matter while making a root beer float. They will also discover the differences between a solid, a liquid and a gas.

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  Phase Changes | Middle School

  Project: Sharing Matter

  In this project, students will design a lesson and activity about the states of matter to share with elementary school students. This project embraces the spirit of the famous quote by Roman philosopher Seneca: by teaching, we learn. In order to successfully teach one of the states of matter to younger students, each group must have advanced knowledge of the subject.

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  Physical Properties, Density, Separating Mixtures, Matter, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary, Phase Changes | Elementary School, Middle School

  Activity: The Castaway!

  In this activity, students use their knowledge of the properties of matter to create and/or design items needed for survival on a deserted island.

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  Matter, Physical Properties, Observations, Phase Changes | Elementary School

  Activity: Matter Can Taste Good!

  In this activity, students will be introduced to the general differences and organization of particles in each state of matter: solid, liquid and gas. They will have the opportunity to compare the samples and then will identify each state of matter during an edible activity.

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  Conservation of Mass, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary, Culminating Project, Phase Changes, Chemical Change | Middle School, High School

  Project: Law of Conservation of Mass Comic Strip

  In this project, students will work in groups to create a comic strip that illustrates understanding of the law of conservation of mass.

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  Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Observations, Molecular Motion | High School, Middle School

  Activity: What Makes Something Feel Warm

  In this lesson students actively engage in thinking about energy issues in chemistry and the nature of energy (thermal) transfer. The idea that temperature is a measure of heat content will be challenged, and students will be given the opportunity to collect data that will allow them to clearly see that different materials transfer energy at different rates.

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  Intermolecular Forces, Physical Change, Intermolecular Forces, Polarity | High School

  Activity: Intermolecular Forces Activity

  In this activity, students will represent molecules and energy to investigate the different types of intermolecular forces.

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  Molecular Motion, Molecular Motion | High School

  Activity: The Molecule Dance

  In this activity, students will explain bond and molecular movements by mimicking molecular motion with their own movements.