Unit 2: Phase Changes

Lesson 2.1
Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Warm Up 2

Learn about It! 3

Phases and Phase Changes 3
Molecular Order in Phase Changes 4
Energy in Phase Changes 5
Specific Heat 6
Enthalpy and Phase Changes 6
Calculations Involving Energy Changes 7

Key Points 12

Key Formulas 13

Check Your Understanding 13

Challenge Yourself 15

Photo Credits 16

Bibliography 16

Key to Try It! 17

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Lesson 2.1

Energy Changes Accompanying

Phase Changes

Introduction
Observe an ice cube melting. Have you ever wondered what happens in the molecular level
whenever ice melts? Or have you ever wondered how much heat is required to melt the
whole cube? Intermolecular forces and the energy from the surroundings interact in such a
way that will define what phase of matter the substance will take. In this lesson, you are
going to learn about phase changes and how they occur on a molecular level. You will also
learn to calculate the change of energy that occurs when there is a transition between
phases of matter.

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Unit 2: Phase Changes

Learning Objectives DepEd Competency

In this lesson, you should be able to do the
following:
● Define phase changes.
● Describe changes in molecular
order and energy changes during
solid-liquid, liquid-vapor,
solid-vapor phase transitions.
● Calculate heat changes in phase
and temperature changes.
Describe the nature of the following
phase changes in terms of energy
change and the increase or
decrease in molecular order:
solid-liquid, liquid-vapor, and
solid-vapor
(STEM_GC11IMFIIIa-c-106).
and

Warm Up
Phase Changes! 15 minutes
Can you recall the different types of phase changes? In this activity, you are asked to
simulate changes that phases undergo on a molecular level.

Procedure
1. Form groups with 7 or more members.
2. Simulate phase changes on a molecular level by acting out as molecules in the
different phases.
3. In the solid-state, molecules are next to one another. This can be represented by
individuals standing shoulder to shoulder, with no space between.
4. The liquid state can be represented by individuals walking randomly, as if on a busy
street, occasionally bumping each other.
5. Gas molecules can be portrayed by people walking on an empty field, seldom
bumping each other.
6. Your teacher or class leader will shout out a phase change (melting, sublimation,
etc.), and groups will act out accordingly.

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Unit 2: Phase Changes

7. Take note of the order as the group transitions from one phase to another. This
activity should be preferably done in open spaces or an empty room that could
accommodate lots of movement.

Guide Questions
1. What do you call a phase change from solid into gas?
2. Based on the Warm Up activity, identify if the molecular order increases or decreases
the following phase transitions: solid-liquid, liquid-solid, gas-liquid, liquid-gas,
gas-solid, solid-gas.
3. Which phase changes would absorb energy? Which ones would release energy?

Learn about It!

Phases and Phase Changes
A phase is defined as a homogeneous state
in which the substance has a uniform
composition and governed by the same
intermolecular forces throughout the
material. There are three fundamental
phases of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Fig.
2.1.1 shows the molecular order in different
phases. In solids, molecules are tightly
packed and can be compared to people
inside a train during rush hour. In liquids,
there is more space. This can be analogous
to people walking in a busy street. The
gaseous state has very large spaces between
them. The figure below is an attempted
representation of this phase, but a more
accurate analogy would be people on an
open field that are kilometers apart.

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 3

Unit 2: Phase Changes

We often observe drops of water forming outside a glass of cold water or ice melting at
room temperature. These are examples of phase changes. Phase changes are transitions
that occur between different phases of matter. Gas to liquid transition is called
condensation. Liquid to gas transition is called evaporation or boiling. Liquid to solid
transition is called freezing. A change from the solid to liquid phase is called melting. A
solid can change into a gas without passing through the liquid phase is called sublimation.
The reverse, in which gas transitions into solid without passing through the liquid phase is
called deposition. The different kinds of phase changes can be seen in Fig. 2.1.2.

Fig. 2.1.2. Different phase changes

How can phase change affect the molecular order

in matter?

Molecular Order in Phase Changes

In the Warm Up activity, you have learned that phase changes are accompanied by a change
that occurs as a result of energy interactions and the intermolecular forces in the substance
itself. In solids, molecules are well ordered and are not free to move around. When a solid
transitions to a liquid or gas, there is a decrease in the order in the material. The same is
true for a liquid that would turn to a gaseous state.

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Unit 2: Phase Changes

Among the three fundamental phases of matter, the gaseous state has the most disorder
because of the large spaces these molecules can move around. Gas transitioning to liquid or
gas would result in a decrease in order. Liquids turning solid will also have a decrease in
order.

Which phase changes do you think would occur

spontaneously based on molecular order?

Energy in Phase Changes

In order for molecules in the different phases to transition from one form to another,
energy is added or taken away in the form of heat. It is important to note that when phase
changes occur, it is not only the substance that is affected by the flow of heat. Heat also
flows to and from its surroundings.

When ice melts, molecules shift from an ordered structure to a less ordered one. Heat
energy from the environment causes the water molecules to break free from the
intermolecular forces that hold it in the solid-state. In other words, heat is absorbed. This is
called an endothermic process. The amount of heat energy transferred from the
surroundings to the substance is a change in enthalpy, represented by the symbol ΔH (this
is read as delta H). For an endothermic process, the change in enthalpy is always positive, or
ΔH > 0. In general, a phase change is endothermic if the molecules are more disordered.

When water condenses on a leaf on a cold morning, molecules of water in the form of gas
(moisture) reorganize itself from a disordered state to a more ordered one. Intermolecular
forces become stronger, and the spaces between molecules become closer. Heat is released
to the environment. This is called an exothermic process. The change in enthalpy will
always be negative, or ΔH < 0. In general, a phase change is exothermic if the molecules
become more ordered.

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Unit 2: Phase Changes

Tips
One way to easily remember if a process is endothermic or
exothermic is to recall the meaning of the words in the original
Greek. The prefix “endo” in Greek means “inside”, while “exo” means
outside. “Thermos” means heat. When heat is absorbed, it is
endothermic; heat enters the system.. When heat is released, it is
exothermic; heat exits the system.

Another useful tip to remember is that in the endothermic process,

heat is added (+). Therefore, ΔH is positive (+). In an exothermic
process, heat is removed (-). Therefore, ΔH is negative (-).

Specific Heat
The temperature of a substance is independent of the amount of material since it is a
measure of the average kinetic energy of each particle in the substance. However, the
amount of heat will depend on the quantity of material. The amount of heat needed to
increase the temperature of a specific substance by 1oC is defined as specific heat. In the
case of water, the specific heat for ice is 2.00 J/(g·ºC); for liquid water, it is 4.186 J/(g·ºC); and
for water vapor, it is 2.11 J/(g·ºC).

Enthalpy and Phase Changes

In endothermic processes like melting and evaporation, energy is supplied to break the
intermolecular attractive forces that hold the particles in their present state. The
temperature at which a substance turns from solid to liquid is called the melting point.
Another term for the melting process is fusion. The amount of heat needed to melt a
substance is called the heat of fusion or the enthalpy of fusion symbolized by ΔHfus. The
reverse process is freezing and the temperature where this occurs is the freezing point.
The melting point and the freezing point of any substance is the same. The temperature at
which liquid turns to gas is called the boiling point. The amount of heat needed to complete
the phase change of a substance is called the heat of vaporization or the enthalpy of
vaporization, symbolized by ΔHvap.

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Unit 2: Phase Changes

If you add heat energy to a solid at its melting point or a liquid at its boiling point, the
temperature of the substance will remain constant under constant pressure. Enthalpies of
phase changes are commonly calculated in kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol). In this case, it is
called the molar enthalpy of fusion and the molar enthalpy of vaporization respectively.
There are also enthalpy values calculated on a per gram basis.

Why is sublimation an endothermic process?

Calculations Involving Energy Changes

There are two situations you have to consider in calculations involving energy flow in and
out of material. In calculations where no phase changes are involved and under constant
pressure, the amount of heat is just calculated by means of the equation below:

Equation 2.1.1

where q is the amount of heat energy in joule, m is the mass in kilograms, c is the specific
heat, ΔT is the change in temperature.

In calculations involving purely phase changes under constant pressure, the amount of
material in moles is simply multiplied to the molar enthalpy of that particular phase change.
In other words:

Equation 2.1.2

where q is the amount of heat in joules, n is the amount of the substance in moles, and ΔH is
the molar enthalpy of the process, whether freezing, melting (molar enthalpy of fusion),
evaporation, or condensation (molar enthalpy of vaporization), in joules per mole.

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 7

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Let’s Practice!
Example 1
How much energy is required to raise the temperature of a 70.0 g of water in the liquid state
by 12 ºC, if the specific heat of water is 4.186 J/(g·OC)?

Solution
Step 1: Identify the given.
The change in temperature, the mass of the substance, and the specific heat of
water are provided.

Step 2: Identify what is asked in the problem.

The problem asks for the amount of energy in increasing the temperature of a
substance without undergoing phase changes.

Step 3: Write the working equation.

Step 4: Substitute the values and solve the amount of energy.

Therefore, the amount of energy required for this process is 3516 J.

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 8

Unit 2: Phase Changes

1 Try It!
Calculate the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 300 grams of
water in the liquid state from 20 ºC to 27 ºC.

Example 2
At a temperature of 0 ºC, how many grams of ice can be melted by 500 joules of heat energy
if the molar enthalpy of fusion of water is 6.01 kJ/mol?

Solution
Step 1: Identify the given.
The heat applied and the molar enthalpy of fusion of water are provided.

Step 2: Identify what is asked in the problem.

The problem asks for the amount of ice in grams.

Step 3: Write the working equation.

Rearrange the equation to solve for the amount in moles.

Step 4: Substitute the values.

The amount of ice in grams can be calculated using the molar mass (MM) of
water.

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 9

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Therefore, 1.50 grams of ice is the amount that will be completely melted by 500 joules of
heat.

2 Try It!
Calculate the mass of liquid water at 100 ºC that can be totally converted to steam by
3000 J if the molar enthalpy for vaporization is 40.67 kJ/mol.

Example 3
The amount of energy required to heat 2.00 kg of water from 25 ºC to 75 ºC, is the same
amount of energy needed to melt a certain amount of ice completely. How many moles of
ice would that be? The molar enthalpy of fusion of water is 6.01 kJ/mol and the specific heat
of water is 4.186 J/(g·ºC).

Solution
Step 1: Identify the given.
The mass, molar enthalpy of fusion and specific heat of water, and change in
temperature are given.

Step 2: Identify what is asked in the problem.

The number of moles of ice is being sought in the problem.

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 10

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Step 3: Write the working equations.

Solving for moles, the equation can be rearranged to

Step 4: Substitute the values.

Using the equation as heat:

The same amount of heat is needed to melt 69.65 moles of ice.

3 Try It!
About 4.00 g of hydrogen gas undergoes combustion and produces water in its liquid
state. Eventually, the temperature of the liquid is lowered to 273 K. How much energy
must be released to the surroundings so that water will be totally frozen?

Which phase changes absorb heat from its

surroundings?

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 11

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Key Points
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

● A phase is defined as a homogeneous state in which the substance has a uniform

composition and governed by the same intermolecular forces throughout the
material. There are three fundamental phases of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
● Phase changes are transitions that occur between different phases of matter.

● Gas to liquid transition is called condensation. Liquid to gas transition is called

evaporation or boiling. Liquid to solid transition is called freezing. A change from

the solid to liquid phase is called melting. A solid can change into a gas without
passing through the liquid phase is called sublimation. The reverse, in which gas
transitions into solid without passing through the liquid phase is called deposition.
● Molecular order decreases in the following phase changes: solid to liquid, solid to gas,
liquid to gas. Molecular order increases in the following phase changes: liquid to solid,
gas to liquid, gas to solid.
● When molecular order decreases, this results in the absorption of energy. It is an
endothermic process.
● When molecular order increases, this results in the release of energy. This is an
exothermic process.
● The amount of heat needed to increase the temperature by 1 ºC is defined as specific
heat.
● The temperature at which a substance turns from solid to liquid is called the melting
point. The reverse process is freezing and the temperature where this occurs is the
freezing point. The melting point and the freezing point of any substance is the
same. The temperature at which liquid turns to gas is called the boiling point.
● The amount of heat needed to melt a substance is called the heat of fusion or the
enthalpy of fusion symbolized by ΔHfus . The amount of heat needed to complete the
phase change of a substance is called the heat of vaporization or the enthalpy of
vaporization, symbolized by ΔHvap. These values hold true under conditions of
constant pressure.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 12

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Key Formulas
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Concept Formula Description

Energy change Use this formula when the

without phase where: material undergoes
changes ● m is mass (in g) temperature changes but

● c is specific heat (in not phase changes.

J/(g✕0C))
● ΔT is the change in
temperature

Energy change Use this formula when the

during phase where: material undergoes phase
changes ● q is the amount of heat, changes but its temperature

● n is the number of moles, does not change.

● ΔH is the molar enthalpy of

the specific process

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Check Your Understanding

A. On the space provided, write down a word or a phrase

that best describes the following items.

___________________________ 1. It is a homogeneous state in which the substance has

a uniform composition and governed by the same
intermolecular forces throughout the material.

___________________________ 2. It describes a process wherein heat is released.

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 13

Unit 2: Phase Changes

___________________________ 3. It describes a process wherein heat is absorbed.

___________________________ 4. These are transitions that occur between different

phases of matter.

___________________________ 5. It is the process wherein a solid becomes a gas

without passing through the liquid phase

___________________________ 6. It is the process wherein a liquid turns into a solid.

___________________________ 7. A positive change in this quantity indicates an

endothermic process.

___________________________ 8. It is a phase change wherein a gas directly becomes a

solid.

___________________________ 9. It is a phase change wherein ice turns to water.

___________________________ 10. The fundamental phase in which the molecules are in

its most ordered state.

B. On the space provided, write I if there is an increase and

D if there is a decrease in the property in the
description.

_______ 1. the molecular order in the process of deposition

_______ 2. the change in enthalpy in an exothermic process

_______ 3. the molecular order when water turns to steam

_______ 4. the change in enthalpy when butter melts

_______ 5. the molecular order in an endothermic phase change

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 14

Unit 2: Phase Changes

C. Solve the following problems. Show the complete

solution in your notebook.

1. How much energy is required to melt 72.0 g of ice at 0 ºC ?

2. Ethylene glycol is a component of antifreeze formulations. The specific heat of this
compound is 2.43 J/g-°C. How much heat is required to raise the temperature of 7.00
g ethylene glycol from 9 ºC to 18 ºC?
3. The boiling point and enthalpy of vaporization of ethylene glycol is 197.6 ºC and 65.6
kJ/mol, respectively. At this temperature, 8.00 moles of this compound in its liquid
form is converted to gas. How much heat is needed for this process?
4. One kilogram of water has maintained its liquid state as its temperature increased
from 273.15 K to 373.15 K. How much energy is needed for this to be attained?
5. How much heat is required to increase the temperature of 120 g of absolute ethanol
from 32 ºF to 68 ºF if it is in its liquid form from -114 ºC to 78 ºC? For liquid ethanol,
the specific heat is 2.3 J/g-K.

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions.

1. Assuming that steam behaves as an ideal gas at 100 ºC, what is the amount of heat
that needs to be released to the surroundings for the gas to be totally converted to
liquid form? The gas occupies a volume of 16.0 L at 1.00 atm.
2. If a liquid is less ordered than the solid state, why is ice less dense than water in
liquid form? Why is this property important to the survival of aquatic ecosystems
during wintertime?
3. It has been observed that freshly boiled water freezes faster than tap water. What
could be the reason behind this?
4. Why does ice from a glacier take a longer time to melt than ordinary ice?
5. Why is the heat of vaporization generally higher than the heat of fusion for the same
material?

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 15

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Photo Credits

Icebergs in the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica (6062792092) by Liam Quinn is licensed under
CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Solid liquid gas by Luis Javier Rodriguez Lopez, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia
Commons.

Bibliography

Bettelheim, Frederick A., William H. Brown, Mary K. Campbell, and Shawn O. Farrell.
Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning,
2016. Print.

Brown, Theodore E. Hill, James C., H. Eugene LeMay, Bruce Edward. Bursten, Catherine J.
Murphy, Patrick M. Woodward, and Matthew Stoltzfus. Chemistry: The Central
Science, 13th Edition. NJ: Pearson, 2015. Print.

Chang, Raymond, and Kenneth A. Goldsby. General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts. New
York: McGraw-Hill, 2014. Print.

Petrucci, Ralph H, F G. Herring, Jeffry Madura, and Carey Bissonnette. General Chemistry:
Principles and Modern Applications. , 2016. Print.

Silberberg, Martin S. Principles of General Chemistry. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education,

2007. Print.

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 16

Unit 2: Phase Changes

Key to Try It!

1. 8790 J
2. 1.33 g
3. 12.0 kJ

2.1. Energy Changes Accompanying Phase Changes 17