NGSS Expectation:

MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes the changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.

This lab has students making observations of what happens to the volume of fluids as the temperature (kinetic energy of molecules) increase and decreases. They will observe the movement of died water in a test tube and measure the volume difference from when the test tube of died water is heated and when it is cooled. They should make connections/utilize prior knowledge from previous content on what volume of a substance represents. This lab and the follow-up lab on density of fluids that are heated and cooled are both lead ins to being able to understand what causes substances to change their phase (forming or breaking molecular attachments/attractions) which is explored using the PHET simulation on phase changes later in the sequence of lessons/labs. The follow-up lab on density and the PHET simulation on phase change are also available on the TPT site.

Materials:

600ml beakers- 1 glass & 1 plastic for each group/team

Prepared Test Tube with eye dropper and rubber stopper (directions included)

Hot Plates- 1 per team

Test tube racks

Water- access to sink(s) makes lab more convenient

Ice- from party store bag of ice

Cooler- not necessary but easy to store ice in to slow melting