Name______________________________________ Date______________________ Period_____

States of Matter Simulation Lab

Go to: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/states-of-matter

Part 1: Before starting the lab, predict the particle arrangement and movement of the
samples. Record your predictions in the chart below.
Solid Liquid Gas
Model of particle
arrangement and
movement

Write a
description of the
particle
arrangement and
movement.

Part 2: Investigating States of Matter

1. Click on States
2. Click on the thermometer and change it to Celsius.
3. Click on neon in the black box
4. Click on the solid, liquid and gas buttons to and determine if
neon can form a solid, liquid and a gas and the temperatures required for the change.
5. Repeat the process for argon, oxygen and water.

Substance Can it form a solid? If so, Can it form a liquid? If so, Can it form a gas? If so,
what temperature is needed for what temperature is needed for what temperature is needed
it to form a solid? it to form a liquid? for it to form a gas?
Neon
Argon
Oxygen
Water

Part 2 Analysis Questions

A. How did your predictions for the particle arrangement and movement match the actual
arrangement and movement in the samples? _________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B. Did all substances exist at the three states of matter at the same temperatures? _____
Why or why not? _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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 C. Compare the particle arrangement of solid water with the other solid samples.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Why do you think the particle arrangement for water is different than the other
samples? ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Part 3: Investigating Phase Changes

1. Click on the phase change icon at the bottom of the screen
2. Click on the thermometer and change it to Celsius.
3. Experiment the effects of increasing and decreasing the temperature of neon, argon,
oxygen and water by moving the lever on the bucket
4. Answer the questions as your experiment.

A. Change neon, argon, oxygen, and water from a solid to a liquid to a gas.
1. What did you have to do to change the samples from a solid to a liquid and then into a
gas? ___________________________________________________________
2. What happened to the temperature as you changed the samples from a solid to a
liquid to a gas? ____________________________________________________
3. What happened to the pressure as you changed the samples from a solid to a liquid to
a gas? ________________________________________________________

B. Change neon, argon, oxygen, and water from a gas to a liquid to a solid.
1. What did you have to do to change the samples from a gas to a liquid and then into a
solid? ___________________________________________________________
2. What happened to the temperature as you changed the samples from a gas to a liquid
to a solid? ___________________________________________________
3. What happened to the pressure as you changed the samples from a gas to a liquid to a
solid? _______________________________________________________

Part 3: Analysis questions. Use the internet to help you answer the questions.
1. Explain how the addition of thermal energy (heat) to matter affects its particles.

2. Explain how the removal of thermal energy (heat) from matter affects its particles.

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 3. Describe the relationship between temperature and pressure.

4. Using your results, explain each of the following scenarios.

a. Explain why a balloon can change in size when the temperature increases or
decreases.

b. Explain why bicycle tires seem more flat in the winter than in the summer.

c. Explain why a can of soda explodes if left in the hot sun.

d. A plastic container filled with a gas is placed in ice. What will happen to the
pressure of the gas?

What do you think will happen to the volume of the gas?

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 e. An infected tooth forms an abscess (pocket of infected tissue) that fills with
gas. The abscess puts pressure on the nerve of the tooth, causing a toothache.
While waiting to see a dentist, the person with the toothache tried to relieve
the pain by treating the area with a heating pad. Will this treatment help?
Why or why not?

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