Phase Change 
Heat and Changes of State 
 
 

Lesson Plan   
 
Guiding Question: D
​ oes the temperature of water rise while it is boiling? 
 
Overview: ​Explore how heat and temperature relate to phase changes. 
 
Learning Goals:  

● Explain why the temperature of the substance does not change during a phase change even though heat is 
continuously added or removed. 
● Describe the relationship between melting, freezing, condensation, and evaporation. 
● Recognize that phase change requires energy to be added or removed from the system. 
● Identify the direct relationship between energy and molecular motion or vibration. 
 
Key Concepts: H ​ eat and Changes of State, Matter and Change, Physical Change, Heat and Changes of State, Freezing, 
Boiling, Melting, Condensation, Evaporation 
 
Link to Simulation: ​https://interactives.ck12.org/simulations/chemistry/phases-of-matter/app/index.html  

Simulation Overview   
 

Starting State  Final State  Temperature vs. Heat Graph 

This  selector  allows  you  to  choose  This  selector  allows  you  to  choose  This  graph  shows  the  temperature 
what  state  the  water  will  begin  as  the  final  state  of  the  water  when  of  the  mass  of  water  as  a  function 
before  adding  or  removing  energy  the trial is complete.  of how much heat it possesses. 
to change it to the final state.      
 

 
   

 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 

  Teacher Guide | Page 1 

 
  

Real-World Connections   
 

   

Why does ice float?  What state of matter is 

Most solids have a greater density than liquids and gases.  lightning? 
However,  water is one of just a few substances that has a 
Above  a  certain  temperature,  the  atoms  in  a  gas  ionize, 
lower  density  in  its  typical  solid form than its liquid form - 
meaning  that  a  large  number  of  electrons  are  freed  from 
this is why ice cubes float on water! 
their  atoms.  This  ionized  gas  is  now  charged  and  can 
 
create  magnetic  fields  -  we  call  such  a  state  of  matter  a 
plasma.  Both lightning and fire are considered to be in the 
plasma state. 
 
 

Is there really plasma in your 

TV?   

Plasma  screens  are  made  up  of  tiny  fluorescent  lights  What state of matter is 
that contain xenon and neon atoms. These gas atoms are 
excited  into  a  plasma  state  by  an  electrical  current, 
involved in a solar storm? 
causing them to release photons of light.  An  explosion  on  the  sun  can  often  send  out  blasts  of 
  plasma  through  space  -  which  we  refer  to  as  a  solar 
storm.  Thankfully,  the  Earth's  magnetic  field  protects  us 
from this space weather. 
 
 
 
 

  Teacher Guide | Page 2 

 
 ​Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ______________   
 

Phase Change 
Heat and Changes of State  
 
 
 

Exploration Questions   

Challenge Me Questions 1-5: ​As you explore the simulation, answer the following questions.  

1. Does the temperature of the water rise while it is boiling? 

2. What is the relationship between molecular motion and energy? 

 
 

3. When you boil water, why does the level of liquid decrease? 

 
 

4. Label each arrow using the following words: melting, freezing, sublimation, deposition, condensation, and 
evaporation.  

5. Can pure water exist as a liquid at 11​0°C​ ?​ Why or why not? 

 
 
 
   

  Exploration Worksheet | Page 1 

 
 ​Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ______________   
 

Check My Understanding   

Questions 6-13:​ Circle the choice that best answers each question. 

6. As a change of state takes place, heat ______ and  10. Rank the states of matter from slowest to fastest 
temperature ________.  particle speed. 
a. Increases, stays the same    a. Gas, solid, liquid 
b. Stays the same, stays the same  b. Solid, liquid, gas 
c. Stays the same, changes  c. Gas, liquid, solid 
d. Increases, increases  d. Solid, gas, liquid 

7. A change of state is a(n) __________ process.   11. When heat is removed from a solid, what happens? 
a. Irreversible  a. The particles move faster 
b. Reversible  b. The solid becomes a liquid 
c. The particles move slower 
8. What is different at the molecular level between a 
solid and a liquid? (multiple can be correct)  d. Nothing 

a. The type of molecule 

12. Describe the movement of solid particles. 
b. Strength of intermolecular forces 
a. No movement 
c. Speed of particles 
b. Vibrational 
d. Nothing 
c. Fast 

9. Which of the below statements are true?  d. Flowing 

a. There can be a change in heat (kJ) without 

13. As the speed of the particles decreases, _______. 
the temperature changing 
a. Intermolecular forces become stronger 
b. Heat remains constant through a change 
of state  b. Intermolecular forces become weaker 

c. Temperature changes through a change of  c. Intermolecular forces do not change 

state  d. Energy increases 
d. Heat and temperature are the same 
 
 

  Exploration Worksheet | Page 2