States of Matter Simulation Lab Students will be able to:
• Identify the familiar states of matter using atomic and molecular pictures.
Interpret the unusual properties of water using atomic and molecular
pictures.
Predict how varying the temperature changes the behavior of the atoms or molecules.
Background Information: There are more states of matter than just three. One such example is
plasma, present in your plasma TV or in the stars, and it is the most common state of matter in
the universe. In Physical Science, however, we are mainly concerned with the most common
states of matter on planet Earth: Solids, Liquids, and Gases.
Predict: Draw a diagram below showing what you think the molecules will look like for each
state of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Write a sentence below each diagram predicting what the
motion of the molecules will be like.
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Diagram of molecules
Sentence explaining
how molecules will
be moving
1. If you start with a substance as a solid, what will happen to the molecules as you add thermal
energy (heat)?
Open the interactive lab simulation: https://phet. colorado. edu/en/simulation/states-of-matter< br /> Click on the "States" activity.
Investigate: Use the menu on the right side of the program to select Water and Solid, Draw and
describe what you see in the space below.
Solid Diagram
Description
2. Now use the slider on the bottom of the program to Add Heat. Notice the thermometer at
the top, which shows both degrees Kelvin (K) and Celsius (C). What happens to the water as
you increase the temperature?