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Professor’s Name

Physics Lab

07 07 2022

State of Matter Using Online Simulation Lab

Abstract :

1. The hypothesis stated that with changes in pressure, the state of H20 molecules would

change.

2. The PHET University of Colorado online Simulation Lab was used to test this hypothesis.

Pressure was changed at intervals of 5 atm from 1 atm to 35 atm. Periodic changes in

states of matter occurred.

3. The graph showed consistent changes in state of matter.

4. Since pressure has a direct impact on temperature, neither could be controlled. However,

the findings were still consistent with the hypothesis.

5. Pressure has an impact on the state of H20 molecules.

Introduction :

In the universe, every substance is made of matter. Almost all matter on Earth exists in three

different states ( solid – liquid – gas ), These matters have different properties or ways they

behave and appear. Scientists use a model to explain these different properties called the

particle model. According to the particle model :

• all substances are made up of tiny particles.

• the particles are attracted towards other surrounding particles.

• the particles are always moving.

• the hotter the substance is the faster the particles move.

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This experiment observed how the relation of temperature and pressure relates to the state of

matter of water. The PHET University of Colorado Lab would allow a visualization of the

microscopic activity of water at different temperatures and pressures. Hypothesized that if the

pressure of water increases, then the states of matter will move from solid to liquid to gas

because this will both increase the temperature and break the bonds between the molecules.

PROCEDURE :

Equipment Used:

 A container full of 70 H20 molecules

 A manometer used to measure pressure

 A thermometer

 A finger to increase/decrease pressure

 A heating and cooling control

 A pump to add more molecules

 Approximately 70 water particles were chilled to 1 degree K, at normal atmospheric

pressure. The temperature and pressure were consistently raised throughout the

experiment.

 First experiment, increase and decrease temperature with constant pressure to show

effect the temperature on state of matter

 Secondly, increase pressure to show phase changes

Steps for second experiment :

Step 1: Water molecules are cooled to 1 degree K at 0 atm.

Step 2: Pressure is increased from 0 atm to 5 atm, the temperature increased to 154 degree K,

but the particles were still in a solid state.

Step 3: Step 2 is repeated, but molecules transform into liquid state at 15 atm and 394 degrees

K.
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Step 4: Step 2 is repeated through 20 to 25 atm, and the particles reman in a liquid state at

temperatures from 573 to 614 degrees K.

Step 5: The particles moved to a gaseous state at 30 and 35 atm with temperatures from 730

K to 868 K.

Results :

In the First experiment, you have seen that adding heat energy makes molecules move faster

and that removing heat energy (cooling) makes molecules slow down. Heating and cooling

affect all states of matter—solids, liquids, and gases. Sometimes when matter is heated or

cooled enough, we can see pretty dramatic-looking changes. When heated, a solid can

become a liquid and then a gas. Or when cooled, a gas can become a liquid and then a solid.

Temperature ( ֯C ) - 10 12 13 100 155 156

State solid solid liquid liquid liquid gas

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In the Second experiment,

Pressure ( in atm ) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 34
Temperature ( in K ) 1 154 368 394 573 614 730 868
State Solid Solid Liquid Liquid Liquid Liquid Gas Gas

1000 Liquid Liquid Gas Gas

900

800 Liquid
700
Liquid
Temperature ( in k )

600

500

400

300 Solid
200
Solid
100

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Pressure ( in atm )

Discussion

 Both pressure and temperature have the capability to interact in the change of water's

state of matter, but on earth we only see temperature's interaction since we are

typically at or close to normal atmospheric pressure.

 At different pressures in space, water will react differently that can be observed on

earth since high pressure greatly raises the temperature.

 With changes of temperature and pressure, the state of the H20 molecules did change.

 Impossible to control either pressure or temperature, so both were affecting the

molecules at once.
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 In the future, a simulation where temperature could be controlled, just to see the pure

effect pressure has, would offer interesting results.

 The water melted between 5 and 10 atm, and reached its critical point between 25 and

30 atm.

Conclusion

Both pressure and temperature have the capability to interact in the change of water's state of

matter, but on earth we only see temperature's interaction since we are typically at or close to

normal atmospheric pressure. At different pressures in space, water will react differently that

can be observed on earth since high pressure greatly raises the temperature.