Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson the student must be able to:

❖ Define what is PHASE CHANGE.

❖ Name the transitions resulting from the PHASE CHANGE .
❖ Identify and explain the different PHASE CHANGES in matter.
❖ Describe what happens to water when it is heated or cooled.

What is PHASE CHANGE?

The conversion of matter from one state to another is called a phase change. For
example a solid substance changing into liquid is called melting. And a liquid substance
changing into solid is called freezing. This process occurs when a large amount of
energy is gained or lost. Phase change also depends on factors like pressure and
temperature.

A phase is the state in which a substance exists. On Earth, there are four different
states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Each type of substance has distinct
features such as specific temperatures, melting points, and boiling points. Under
specific situations, various phases can coexist.

There are eight thermal processes that allow matter to phase change. They include
melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, sublimation, deposition, ionization, and
recombination. These eight phases exist at various temperatures and pressure levels.
The figure above shows the diagram transition of substances from one to another.
Types of Phase Changes:

➢ Freezing – Also known as “solidification”. The opposite of melting which means it

is a process where the liquid substance changes form from liquid to solid.
➢ Melting – A process of solid changing into liquid when heat is applied.
➢ Evaporation – Process by which an element or compound transition from its
liquid state to its gaseous state below the temperature at which.
➢ Condensation – Is the process of by which water vapor in the air is changed into
liquid water; opposite of evaporation. It is crucial to water cycle because it is
responsible for the formation of clouds.
➢ Sublimation – is the transition of a substance directly from a solid to gas. It does
not pass through the usual liquid state, and only occurs at specific temp and
pressure
➢ Deposition – The substance changes directly from a gas to a solid without going
through the liquid phase.
➢ Ionization – Gas phase to plasma, refers to the process by which an atom or
molecule gains or loses electrons, resulting in the formation of charged particles
called ions.
➢ Recombination – Change from plasma to gas, involves the process of
combining charged particles (ions or electrons) to form neutral atoms or
molecules.

Examples of Phase Changes

Melting – S → L

Ice turning into water

Ice is a solid substance that when heat is added it becomes a liquid. Melting occurs in
ice when the molecules in the substance begin to break down due to the heat added
and move freely past each other, leading it to act like a liquid.
Freezing – L → S

Water turning into ice

Water freezes when heat and pressure are released and the temperature is reduced to
32°F (0°C). Freezing also occurs in water when the water molecules begin to slow down
due to the applied cold and become locked together in a permanent position, similar to
a solid.

Evaporation – L → G

Boiling water

When you’re boiling water on the stove, you’re adding heat to liquid water. This added
heat breaks the bonds, causing the water to shift from its liquid state to its gaseous
state (water vapor), which we know as steam.

Water easily evaporates at its boiling point (212° F, 100° C) but evaporates much more
slowly at its freezing point because of the heat energy required to evaporate the water.
Condensation – G → L

Water droplets on the windows

Condensation on windows occurs because water vapour in the air deposits itself on
surfaces that are at lower temperatures. When moist air comes into contact with the
cold impermeable glass surface of your windows, it releases some of this moisture onto
the glass as water droplets. This is condensation.

In most cases, internal condensation issues occur because of too much humidity in the
room or little to no air circulation. Low internal room temperatures can also create cold
surfaces (particularly on windows and exterior walls) which allows warm air to condense
onto them easily

Deposition – G → S

Frozen pattern of ice on your windowpane.

The process in which a gas changes directly to a solid without going through the liquid
state. It occurs when gas particles become very cold. For example, when water vapor in
the air contacts a very cold windowpane, the water vapor may change to tiny ice
crystals on the glass. The ice crystals are called frost.

Sublimation – S → G

Dry ice soaked in water

Dry ice is solid. It sublimates or changes states from a solid to a gas at temperatures of
-78 degrees Celsius under normal atmospheric pressure of 1 atm. Because of its low
temperature at normal atmospheric pressure, it is useful as a coolant.

When dry ice is placed into warm water, a cloud forms. This cloud is similar to the
clouds we see in the sky. The cloud consists of water droplets that are trapped inside
the carbon dioxide gas and eventually flow out. It forms because the dry ice is cold
enough to make water from the air condense.
vapor.

Ionization – G → P

Plasma ball toy

When you turn on a plasma ball toy, the noble gases inside are ionized by an electric
charge and become plasma.

Recombination – P → G

Thunder

Deionization or Recombination: Lightning is an example of plasma. After a lightning

strike, nitrogen ions eventually draw closer together and lose their charge to become N2
gas.

References:
https://youtu.be/CMUmQRgJAo0?si=BpN-nWnfWNU0WIoH

https://youtu.be/mGlw2ZQ_VJE?si=AN0bLx2YRDx1noM5

https://conceptgroupllc.com/glossary/what-is-phase-
change/#:~:text=The%20conversion%20of%20matter%20from,factors%20like%20pr
essure%20and%20temperature.

Prepared by:

Alim, Johayfa E.
Midtanggal, Sittie Farhanna D.
Sangcupan, Juliah Hairrah L.