Thermal Expansion of Water

Science Inquiry Skill: Graphing, Analysing and Evaluating

Part 1
The sentences below all attempt to describe what the graph shows. Rank the sentences from best to worst. When ranking
sentences use the scale A to E

Graph showing how the specific volume of water changes with temperature

Sentence Ranking (use the scale A to E)

The temperature goes up and so does volume. E

As the temperature increases from 0 to 4 degrees celsius the volume A

decreases by 0.00015 cm3/g. As the temperature increases from 4 to
10 degrees Celsius the volume increases by 0.0003 cm 3/g.
Temperature goes up after 4 degrees and so does the volume C

As the volume decreases by 0.00015 cm3/g the temperature B

increases to 4 degrees Celsius, then as the volume increases by
0.0003 cm3/g the temperature increases from 4 to 10 degrees
Celsius.
The temperature and volume change D

To describe a graph accurately we need to know the following information:

 Independent variable (x- axis label)
 Dependent variable (y – axis label)
 How is the dependent variable changing in response to how the independent variable is changing?

Consider the sentence below:

As the temperature increases from 0 to 4 degrees Celsius the volume decreases by 0.00015 cm3/g. As the temperature
increases from 4 to 10 degrees Celsius the volume also increases by 0.0003 cm3/g .

To write a good quality sentence that describes what a graph shows, you can use this pattern:

As the (independent variable increases/decreases) by (amount), the (dependent variable

increases/decreases) by (amount).
Part 2
Thermal Expansion of water practical

You will be in pairs for this.

Introduction

Students observe how water expands as it warms. Thermal expansion of seawater is one of the two main causes of
rising sea levels that result from a warming climate
Student Learning Objectives

 Students will observe the change in volume of water as it is heated.

 Students will be able to describe the relationship between volume and temperature for water
 Students will learn that thermal expansion of seawater is one of the main causes of sea level rise due to warming
climate.
 Students can construct a suitable table to record data
 Students can construct a graph of their data
 Students can accurately describe what their graph shows

Materials

Conical flask

Stopwatch

Two-hole rubber stopper flask

Thin, glass or plastic tube

Temperature probe

Hot plate

Ruler

Food colouring

Water

Marker

Directions
 1. Completely fill the flask with very cold water. Add a small amount of dye to improve visibility.
2. Place the temperature probe and glass plastic tube into the rubber stopper.
3. Place the rubber stopper (with tube and thermometer) into the mouth of the flask. The water should rise a bit up the
tube.
4. Set the hotplate to 1000C.
5. Place flask with rubber stopper onto hotplate.
6. Record the height of the water level using a ruler and start timer.
7. Measure the height of the water after 1 minute and record the height in your table.
8. Measure the height of the water every minute for 10 minutes.
9. Record all results in your table. Place the flask under the lamp. (Lamp should be aimed towards the water, not the top.)
10. Make a prediction of what do you think is going to happen.

Prediction: Record your prediction here, what do you think will happen as the temperature increases?

As the temperature increases the water will expand which will make the volume of water larger, as a side effect the
water will be thinner.

Results: Create a table from the method above, make sure to identify your independent and dependent variables.

Graph: Draw a graph of your results below.

Time (m) Water temperature(oC) Water Height (mm)

0 21 48
1 21.5 50
2 22 53
3 23 58
4 25 60
5 26 64
6 27 68
7 28 72
8 29 76
9 30 80
10 31 84
Graph Checklist:

Does your graph have…

Essential Graph Elements Tick when complete

A descriptive title
X – axis labelled with independent variable
Y – axis labelled with dependent variable
Units on both X and Y axis
A suitable scale on both X and Y axis. Evenly
spaced divisions.

Discussion:

1. Using the work form Part 1, describe what is happening in your graph.

On the graph you can see that the longer the water is on the heat the larger it becomes.

2. Was your prediction correct? Use evidence from your graph to support your answer.
As above I was correct, and it is evident because of the increase on the graph
3. Imagine you had an amazing microscope that could see individual water molecules. Draw a diagram of what
you would observe happening to the water molecules during this experiment. Describe how this could
explain the data you recorded.