AJ Fultz 

Virtual Chemistry Pre-AP Extension Assignment - Spring 2021 

 
Use the pHet States of Matter Simulation found here. ​States of Matter - PhET - University 
of Colorado Boulder 
 
VERY IMPORTANT - Your ​Last Name​ determines what element you use.  
Last Names A - F, use Neon in Part 1. 
Last Names G - L, use Argon for Part 1. 
Last Names M - R, use Oxygen for Part 1. 
Last Names S - Z, use Water for Part 1.   
 
Part 1: States of Matter simulation: Change the temperature scale from Kelvin (K) to Celcius. 
 
1. What is your substance? Neon 
 
2. Observe the element in all 3 states of matter by clicking on heat/cool. Describe the particle 
motion in each state of matter: 
 
In order for Neon to be a solid, it must be at least -251 degrees celsius. Whenever it is a 
solid the particles are all clumped together and gravitate towards the center of the clump. In 
order for Neon to be a liquid it must be -246 degrees celsius. Whenever it is a liquid they act 
similarly to the solid but rather than gravitate towards the center they gravitate towards each 
other which causes some to disconnect from the group, and that also causes it to take up 
more of the shape of the container. In order for Neon to be a gas it must be -217 degrees 
celsius. Whenever it is a gas the particles don’t gravitate towards anything. They just float 
around and bounce off of each other to gain speed. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Beginning in the Solid state, use the slider to increase the temperature of your substance.   
 
At what temperature do you see a change from solid to liquid? ​Around -251 degrees 
celsius.  
 
At what temperature do you see a change from liquid to gas? ​Around -243 degrees 
celsius. 
AJ Fultz 
 
Part 2: Phase Diagrams 
 
A phase diagram is a graphical representation of the physical states of a substance under 
different conditions of temperature and pressure. 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. In addition, two states of the substance coexist in equilibrium on the 
lines or curves. 
 
 
 
On this diagram, there are two 
labeled points.   
 
1. Define Triple Point: Whenever 
the particles have similarities of 
all 3 phases. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 What is the Triple point for this substance? (-90, 0.8) 
 
3. Define Critical Point: Whenever the particles have similarities of only liquid and gas 
phases. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. What is the Critical Point for this substance? (5, 85) 
 
 
AJ Fultz 
5. What two states of matter are in equilibrium at -50 oC and 8 atm of pressure? 
It is solid and liquid 
 
 
6. What transition occurs as this substance is heated from -150 o​​ C to -25 o​​ C at 1 atm of 
pressure? 
It becomes a triple point. 
 
7. At -100 o​​ C and 10 atm of pressures, can you drink this substance? 
Yes 
 
8. At -100 o​​ C what transition occurs if you increase pressure from 0.2 atm to 5 atm? 
Condensation 
On the simulator, click Phase Changes on bottom bar. 
● The pump on the left hand side adds more particles.  
● To change pressure move the container lid up or down. 
● To change the temperature, use the heat/cool slider on the bottom. 
 
Click on Neon as type of atom or molecule. Record all temperatures in Kelvin (K). 

1. Heat the neon to 50K. What happens to the pressure? As it heats up the pressure rises. 

2. Add more atoms of neon using the pump. Try to double the number of atoms. 

What happens to the pressure? The pressure increases 

3. Now push down on the lid of the container. What happens to the pressure? 

What happens to the temperature? It heats up. 

Does the volume of the container change as well? Yes because there is less space as the lid 
moves down. 

Click on Reset All. Click on Water as the type of molecule. 

4. Look on the right at the pressure vs. temperature scale. Try to change the temperature or 
pressure to make the red dot move to the triple point. 

What do you think the triple point is? (45oC, 15atm) 

Are you able to keep the red dot on the triple point? Why or why not? 

Not exactly, because the pressure changes all the time. 

Click on Reset All. Click on Oxygen as the type of molecule. 

AJ Fultz 
At what temperature is the oxygen at first? 27K or -246 degrees celsius. 

5. Add heat. 

● At approximately what temperature does the oxygen become a liquid? -216oC 

● At approximately what temperature does the oxygen become a gas? -160oC 

6. Adjust the pressure when oxygen is a gas. Push down on the lid then lift it. 

What happens to the molecules when you push down then lift up? 

They start moving around much faster. 

Does the pressure have anything to do with a change in phase? Explain.   

Yes because pressure can increase the temperature of a substance and cause it to change 
from one phase to another.