Phase Changes, Phase Diagrams, & Heating/Cooling Curves

In this lesson, students will develop a working concept of what is going on during a phase change related to energy changes, change in particle movement and arrangement, and changes in forces of attraction that affects the particles. Equilibrium during phase changes and energy involvement in the change is emphasized along with equilibrium vapor pressure, and energy. Endothermic and exothermic physical reactions are defined and many practice opportunities in identifying them is available. These concepts, along with the prior work with states of matter: particle arrangement, motion, and forces of attraction, will all come together as we discuss changes of states of matter. Students will calculate heat of vaporization and heat of fusion, be introduced to reading a heating/cooling curve, and interpreting a phase diagram. If you don’t teach calculation of heat of vaporization or heat of fusion, no worries, the lesson has been differentiated to cover that. NGSS: NGSS: HS-PS3 En