CHAPTER 4

PHASE CHANGES

CONCEPT MAP

Figure 1. Learning Guide

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
 Describe the nature of the following changes in terms of energy change and the
increase or decrease in the molecular order: solid-liquid, liquid-vapor, and solid-
vapor
 Interpret the phase diagram of water and carbon dioxide

PHASE CHANGES
During elementary days, our teacher had taught us that there are three
classifications or phases a substance may be, it maybe in solid form, in liquid form or in
the form of gas. This makes many children more curious about how water turns to ice and
became solid after placing it on the fridge. Some also wonder why there is always smoke
coming out on the mouth of the kettle whenever the water on the kettle boils. In this chapter,
the changes in phase of substances will be explained and tackled.
When a substance changes from one state, or phase, of matter to another we say
that it has undergone a change of state, or we say that it has undergone a change of
phase. For example, ice melts and becomes water; water evaporates and becomes water
vapor. These changes of phase always occur with a change of heat. Heat, which is energy,
either comes into the material during a change of phase or heat comes out of the material
during this change. However, although the heat content of the material changes, the
temperature does not.
How could there be a change in heat during a state change without a change in
temperature?
During a change in state the heat energy is used to change the bonding between
the molecules. In the case of melting, added energy is used to break the bonds between
the molecules. In the case of freezing, energy is subtracted as the molecules bond to one
another. These energy exchanges are not changes in kinetic energy. They are changes
in bonding energy between the molecules.
On a molecular level, the intermolecular forces between the water molecules are
decreasing. The heat is providing enough energy for the water molecules to overcome
these attractive forces. For any given substance, intermolecular forces will be greatest in
the solid state and weakest in the gas state.

Phase Intermolecular
Term Used
Change Force
melting
solid to liquid increase or decrease decrease
or fusion
vaporization
liquid to gas increase or decrease decrease
or evaporation
gas to solid deposition increase or decrease increase

gas to liquid condensation increase or decrease increase

solid to gas sublimation increase or decrease decrease
solidification
liquid to solid increase or decrease increase
or crystallization
Table 1. State of Intermolecular Forces in different Phase Changes
What is phase diagram?
A graphical representation of the physical states of a substance under different
conditions of temperature and pressure is called phase diagram. A typical phase diagram
has pressure on the y-axis and temperature on the x-axis. As we cross the lines or curves
on the phase diagram, a phase change occurs.
 Figure 2. Example of Phase Diagram
 Triple point – the point on a phase diagram at which the three states of matter: gas,
liquid, and solid coexist
 Critical point – the point on a phase diagram at which the substance is
indistinguishable between liquid and gaseous states
 Fusion(melting) (or freezing) curve – the curve on a phase diagram which
represents the transition between liquid and solid states
 Vaporization (or condensation) curve – the curve on a phase diagram which
represents the transition between gaseous and liquid states
 Sublimation (or deposition) curve – the curve on a phase diagram which represents
the transition between gaseous and solid states.

HIGHLIGHTS/SUMMARY
 Phase change is when a substance changes from one state, or phase, of matter
to another.
 Changes of phase always occur with a change of heat. Heat, which is energy,
either comes into the material during a change of phase or heat comes out of
the material during this change.
 During a change in state the heat energy is used to change the bonding
between the molecules. These energy exchanges are not changes in kinetic
energy. They are changes in bonding energy between the molecules.
 A graphical representation of the physical states of a substance under different
conditions of temperature and pressure is called phase diagram.
 A typical phase diagram has pressure on the y-axis and temperature on the x-
axis.
 As we cross the lines or curves on the phase diagram, a phase change occurs.
CHAPTER ASSESSMENT
A. MULTIPLE CHOICE
Direction: Read the following questions and write the correct answer.
1. What do you call in the process where a liquid substance/material turns into
solid?
a. freezing c. vaporization
b. melting d. none of the above

2. What do you call in the process where a liquid substance/material turns into
gas?
a. freezing c. vaporization
b. melting d. sublimation

3. What do you call in the process where a gas substance/material turns into
solid?
a. freezing c. disposition
b. condensation d. sublimation

4. It is an energy that either comes into the material during a change of phase or
comes out of the material during this change.
a. pressure c. temperature
b. heat d. solar

5. What happens to the intermolecular forces of a substance when heat

occurred?
a. becomes stronger c. the same
b. becomes weaker d. none of the above

6. It a graphical representation of the physical states of a substance under

different conditions of temperature and pressure.
a. phase change c. phase diagram
b. phase chart d. phase graph

7. It is the curve on a phase diagram which represents the transition between

liquid and solid states.
a. freezing/melting curve c. boiling curve
b. sublimation curve d. Either B or C

8. The curve on a phase diagram which represents the transition between

gaseous and liquid states.
 a. freezing/melting curve c. boiling curve
b. sublimation curve d. none of the above

9. The curve on a phase diagram which represents the transition between

gaseous and solid states.
a. freezing/melting curve c. boiling curve
b. sublimation curve d. critical point

10. The point on a phase diagram at which the substance is indistinguishable

between liquid and gaseous states
a. boiling point c. triple point
b. melting point d. critical point

B. IDENTIFICATION
1. It is the term used to describe the change of substance’s phase from solid to liquid.
2. It is the term used to describe the change of substance’s phase from liquid to gas.
3. It is the term used to describe the change of substance’s phase from gas to solid.
4. It is the term used to describe the change of substance’s phase from gas to liquid.
5. It is the term used to describe the change of substance’s phase from solid to gas.

C. ESSAY
In your own understanding, explain briefly the difference of the answers in the
previous type of assessment.
 CHAPTER 4
PHASE CHANGES

KEY TO CORRECTION
A. MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. B
10. D

B. IDENTIFICATION
1. melting or fusion
2. evaporation
3. deposition
4. condensation
5. sublimation
REFERENCES
Change of Phase (or State). (n.d.). Retrieved from zonalandeducation:
http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/mechanics/energy/heatAndTempera
ture/changesOfPhase/changeOfState.html?fbclid=IwAR3pCHpepaUG7oz05SXf-
YRao5mwH7IKUEn1QjYHv95fm-Nynl1hL2yKSrE
Intermolecular Forces. (n.d.). Retrieved from ChempagesNetorials:
https://www.chem.wisc.edu/deptfiles/genchem/netorial/rottosen/tutorial/modules/i
ntermolecular_forces/02imf/imf2.htm?fbclid=IwAR0zOx65ameBP7Thjs8HNuGA4
rp5liNS7ug81piK_befkvpTlSnqvvRVEqA
McKinnell, M. V.-S. (2016, June 07). Phase Diagrams. Retrieved from
ChemistryLIbreTexts:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Textbook_Maps/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry
_Textbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry
)/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/States_of_Matter/Phase_Transitions/Phase_Dia
grams?fbclid=IwAR2kdZWMu9nCXY0sr
Phase Changes. (n.d.). Retrieved from HypherPhysics: • http://hyperphysics.phy-
astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/phase.html?fbclid=IwAR3Bh0B_e2zzUiBSAB9WVkpl
uOJz_5dABhPY3De145MfkDPjP-iNH0oCORY