Table of contents

Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................ix

The National Science Education Standards...........................................................................................1

Inquiry....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Selected science teaching standards............................................................................................................................ 4
Inquiry content standards.................................................................................................................................................. 6
Physical science content standards................................................................................................................................ 8

Features of Inquiry in Action investigations and activities...........................................................10

Investigation 1. Scientific questions and their investigation.....................................................13

What happens when the colored coating of an M&M gets wet?

Key concepts, objectives, and standards........................................................................................................................ 14

Materials for the activities..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Science background information for teachers.............................................................................................................. 17
Activities
1.1 Mysterious M&M’s . .................................................................................................................................................23
1.2 Racing M&M colors...................................................................................................................................................29
1.3 Colors collide or combine?.................................................................................................................................... 33
1.4 Investigating the line............................................................................................................................................... 37
1.5 M&M’s in different temperatures........................................................................................................................ 43
1.6 M&M’s in different sugar solutions..................................................................................................................... 47
Assessment rubric.................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Review and apply.....................................................................................................................................................................54

© 2007 American Chemical Society Table of contents 

 Investigation 2. Physical properties and physical change in solids........................................67
How can you tell if crystals that look the same are really the same or different?

Key concepts, objectives, and standards........................................................................................................................68

Materials for the activities..................................................................................................................................................... 70
Science background information for teachers..............................................................................................................72
Activities
2.1 Curious crystals.......................................................................................................................................................... 76
2.2 Crushing test...............................................................................................................................................................82
Demonstration 2a: Solubility is a characteristic property........................................................................................ 87
Demonstration 2b: Measuring equal amounts of crystals for the solubility test............................................. 91
2.3 Solubility test..............................................................................................................................................................94
2.4 Recrystallization test..............................................................................................................................................101
Assessment rubric..................................................................................................................................................................108
Review and apply................................................................................................................................................................... 110

Investigation 3. Physical properties and physical change in liquids................................... 125

How can you tell if liquids that look the same are really the same or different?

Key concepts, objectives, and standards......................................................................................................................126

Materials for the activities...................................................................................................................................................128
Science background information for teachers............................................................................................................129
Activities
3.1 Look-alike liquids.....................................................................................................................................................133
3.2 Developing tests to distinguish between similar-looking liquids........................................................138
3.3 Using color to see how liquids combine........................................................................................................142
3.4 Using the combining test to identify the unknown liquids....................................................................148
Assessment rubric..................................................................................................................................................................153
Review and apply...................................................................................................................................................................155

vi Table of contents © 2007 American Chemical Society

 Investigation 4. Dissolving solids, liquids, and gases................................................................. 169
Can solids, liquids, and gases all dissolve?

Key concepts, objectives, and standards......................................................................................................................170

Materials for the activities...................................................................................................................................................172
Science background information for teachers............................................................................................................ 174
Activities
4.1 Defining dissolving.................................................................................................................................................180
4.2 Dissolving a substance in different liquids....................................................................................................187
4.3 Temperature affects dissolving..........................................................................................................................192
Demonstration 4a: Temperature affects the solubility of salt and sugar.........................................................196
4.4 Dissolving different liquids in water................................................................................................................202
Demonstration 4b: Gases can dissolve in liquids.......................................................................................................205
4.5 Temperature affects the solubility of gases..................................................................................................208
4.6 A dissolving challenge.......................................................................................................................................... 212
Assessment rubric..................................................................................................................................................................218
Review and apply...................................................................................................................................................................220

Investigation 5. Chemical change...................................................................................................... 237

Do powders that look the same have the same chemical reactions?

Key concepts, objectives, and standards......................................................................................................................238

Materials for the activities...................................................................................................................................................239
Science background information for teachers............................................................................................................243
Activities
5.1 Powder particulars..................................................................................................................................................253
5.2 Using chemical change to identify an unknown........................................................................................260
5.3 Exploring baking powder....................................................................................................................................269
5.4 Change in temperature—Endothermic reaction........................................................................................274
5.5 Production of a gas—Controlling a chemical reaction............................................................................277
5.6 Change in temperature—Exothermic reaction...........................................................................................281
5.7 Color changes with acids and bases................................................................................................................285
5.8 Neutralizing acids and bases..............................................................................................................................289
5.9 Comparing the amount of acid in different solutions..............................................................................294
5.10 Formation of a precipitate...................................................................................................................................298
Assessment rubric..................................................................................................................................................................305
Review and apply...................................................................................................................................................................308

© 2007 American Chemical Society Table of contents vii

 Investigation 6. States of matter......................................................................................................... 323
What causes water to change back and forth between water vapor, water, and ice?

Key concepts, objectives, and standards......................................................................................................................324

Materials for the activities...................................................................................................................................................326
Science background information for teachers............................................................................................................328
Activities
6.1 Matter on the move...............................................................................................................................................334
6.2 Evaporation...............................................................................................................................................................343
6.3 Condensation...........................................................................................................................................................350
6.4a Exploring moisture on the outside of a cold cup.......................................................................................355
6.4b Exploring moisture on the outside of a cold cup: For dry environments..........................................362
6.5 From gas to liquid to solid.................................................................................................................................. 368
Assessment rubric..................................................................................................................................................................372
Review and apply...................................................................................................................................................................374

Investigation 7. Density.......................................................................................................................... 385

What causes a substance to sink or float in a liquid?

Key concepts, objectives, and standards......................................................................................................................386

Materials for the activities...................................................................................................................................................388
Science background information for teachers............................................................................................................390
Activities
7.1 Defining density......................................................................................................................................................394
7.2 Comparing the density of an object to the density of water.................................................................402
7.3 Comparing the density of different liquids.................................................................................................. 409
7.4 Changing the density of a liquid—Adding salt........................................................................................... 416
7.5 Changing the density of a liquid—Heating and cooling.........................................................................421
7.6 Changing the density of an object—Adding material..............................................................................427
7.7 Changing the density of an object—Changing shape.............................................................................432
Assessment rubric..................................................................................................................................................................437
Review and apply.................................................................................................................................................................. 440

Appendix...................................................................................................................................................... 453

Content standards: K–4........................................................................................................................................................454

Content standards: 5–8........................................................................................................................................................458
Frequently asked questions about inquiry...................................................................................................................463

viii Table of contents © 2007 American Chemical Society

 Investigation 6
States of matter

What causes water to change back and forth between water vapor, water, and ice?

Summary
In the first activity, students consider how heating and cooling affect
molecular motion. The subsequent activities extend this idea to explore
the relationship between temperature and the state changes of water.
After considering their own experiences with evaporation and conden-
sation, students discover that adding heat to water increases the rate of
evaporation and cooling water vapor increases the rate of condensation.
Students then investigate what causes moisture to form on the outside
of a cold cup. As an extension, students see that at even lower tempera-
tures water vapor can condense on the outside of a container and then
freeze to form ice.

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 323

Investigation 6: States of matter
Key concepts for students
● When designing a scientific experiment, it is necessary to identify and control variables.
● Heating increases molecular motion and cooling decreases molecular motion.
● Substances can change from one state to another by heating and cooling.
● Evaporation is a change in state from a liquid to a gas.
● Heating water increases the rate of evaporation.
● Condensation is a change in state from a gas to a liquid.
● Cooling water vapor increases the rate of condensation.
● Cooling water vapor enough can cause it to condense to form liquid water and then freeze to form ice.

Note: Throughout Inquiry in Action, explanations on the molecular level are reserved for the supplemental
reading in the Review and apply section titled, “What’s going on here?” But in this investigation, the
activities are particularly well-suited to introduce concepts related to atoms and molecules. By watching
the demonstrations and participating in the activities, students can begin to develop an understanding of
the movement of molecules and the attractions between them.

Learning objectives
Students will be able to:
● Describe changes in the motion of molecules as a substance is heated and cooled.
● Develop an experiment to investigate whether heating water increases the rate
of evaporation.
● Identify the role of a control in experiments.
● Use evidence from an experiment to make an inference about molecular motion.
● Explain why heating water increases the rate of evaporation.
● Explain why cooling water vapor increases the rate of condensation.
● Infer that the moisture that forms on the outside of a cold cup is the result of condensation.

Investigation questions
What causes water to change back and forth between water vapor, water, and ice?
● Do heating and cooling have an effect on matter?
● Does adding heat to water increase the rate of evaporation?
● Does cooling water vapor increase the rate of condensation?
● What causes moisture to form on the outside of a cold cup?
● What causes frost to form on the outside of a cold container?

Assessment
The assessment rubric States of matter, pp. 372–373, enables teachers to document student progress as
they design and conduct activities and complete the activity sheets. Students will demonstrate their under-
standing of both the physical science and inquiry content as they complete the activity, readings, and
worksheets in the Review and apply section on pp. 374–384.

324 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Relevant National Science Education Standards

K–4
Physical science
Properties of objects and materials
 Materials can exist in different states—solid, liquid, and gas. Some common materials, such as
water, can be changed from one state to another by heating and cooling.
Science as inquiry
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Ask a question about objects.
Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
Use simple equipment and tools to gather and extend the senses.
Use data to construct a reasonable explanation.
Communicate investigations and explanations.
Understandings about scientific inquiry
Scientific investigations involve asking and answering a question.
Scientists use different kinds of investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer.
Types of investigations include describing objects…and doing a fair test.
Good explanations are based on evidence from investigations.
5–8
Physical science
Properties and changes of properties in matter
A substance has characteristic properties.
Science as inquiry
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
Design and conduct a scientific investigation.
Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.
Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations.
Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
Understandings about scientific inquiry
Different kinds of questions suggest different kinds of scientific investigations.
Scientific explanations emphasize evidence and have logically consistent arguments.
Scientific investigations sometimes result in new ideas and phenomena for study that can lead
to new investigations.

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 325

Materials chart for student activities
6.1 Matter on the move
6.2 Evaporation
6.3 Condensation
6.4a Exploring moisture on the outside of a cold cup
6.4b Exploring moisture on the outside of a cold cup: For dry environments
6.5 From gas to liquid to solid

Activities
Each group will need 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4a 6.4b 6.5
Hot tap water ● ● ● ●

Cold water ● ●

Room-temperature water ● ● ●

Ice 1 cube 3 cups 2 cups 2 cups

Liquid dish detergent ●

Salt ●

Sugar ●

Plastic bottle, 1/2 pint or 1/2 liter ●

Tall clear plastic cups 3 4 3

Wide clear plastic cups 3 3 1
Film canisters with lids 2
Clean, empty metal soup can ●

Zip-closing plastic bag, quart size 2

Zip-closing plastic bag, gallon size ●

Metal spoon ●

Teaspoon ●

Magnifier ●

Droppers 2
Brown paper towels 2
Paper towels ● ● ● ●

326 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Notes about the materials
● Be sure you and the students wear properly fitting goggles.
● Hot tap water is sufficiently hot for the activity. Students should use care when handling hot tap water.
● Use storage grade zip-closing plastic bags.
● Students will develop their own activity in Activity 6.2 as well as conduct an activity using a provided
procedure. The listed materials do not include what students will need to conduct the activities they
design. Either provide materials or have students bring them from home.
●  ctivities 6.3 and 6.4b call for both tall and wide clear plastic cups. Be sure the
A
cups fit together as shown.
● Activity 6.4a has a take-home component. Have students empty and dry the
cups used during the in-class parts of the activity. Then each student should
take one of these clear plastic cups home for the activity.
● In Activity 6.4b, you may use film canisters or any other
small containers with lids that can fit beneath an inverted
tall clear plastic cup as shown. If an ice cube will not fit inside the small container,
use crushed ice.
● If possible, use crushed ice for Activities 6.4b and 6.5.

Materials chart for teacher demonstrations

6.1 Matter on the move
6.2 Evaporation
Activities
6.1 6.2
Hot tap water ● ●

Cold water ● ●

Blue food coloring 2

Yellow food coloring 2
Tall clear plastic cups 2
Wide clear plastic cup 1
Plastic bottle with lid, 1/2 pint or 1/2 liter ●

Petri dish or wide shallow container ●

Sensitive scale or balance ●

Dropper ●

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 327

Science background information for teachers
Matter exists in three common states or phases: solid, liquid, or gas. These phases of matter can be
affected by changes in heat and pressure. In fact, one state of matter can change to another by heating
or cooling and by increasing or decreasing pressure. Because pressure changes are difficult to produce
and control in the classroom, the activities in this investigation focus on state changes related to adding
or removing heat.

For videos, animations, and other information related to this investigation, go to

[Link]/education/[Link].

Chemistry concepts
● The position of atoms, ions, or molecules in solids, liquids, and gases is the result of the average
energy of these particles and the attractions they have for one another.
● Adding heat to a substance increases the motion of the particles of the substance.
● Cooling a substance decreases the motion of the particles of the substance.
● Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
● Heat is the energy that is transferred from a warmer substance to a cooler one based on the
temperature difference between them.
● The processes of melting and evaporation absorb energy to break the associations between the
particles of a substance.
● The processes of condensation and freezing release energy as the associations between particles are formed.

Motion and location

The attractions between the atoms, ions, or molecules in a particular substance are the same whether
the substance is in the solid, liquid, or gas phase. However, the speed, motion, and position of the
particles relative to one another are different.

Add heat energy Melting Evaporation

Solid Liquid Gas

Freezing Condensation Remove heat energy

328 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Adding heat
In solids, the atoms, ions, or molecules that make up the substance are very close to each other and
vibrate in fixed positions arranged in an orderly pattern. These properties give solids their definite shape
and volume.

When a solid is heated, the motion of the particles increases. The particles are still attracted to each other
but their extra movement begins to compete with their attraction. If enough heat is added, the motion of
the particles begins to overcome the attraction and the particles move more freely. They begin to slide
past each other as the substance begins to change state from a solid to a liquid. This process is called
melting. The particles of a liquid are only slightly further apart than in a solid. They have more kinetic
energy than they did as a solid but their attractions hold them together enough so that they retain their
liquid state and do not become a gas.

When heat is added to a liquid, the motion of the particles increases again. If the motion is energetic
enough, the particles can completely overcome the attractions between them. When this happens, the
particles go into the air as a gas. This process is called evaporation. As a gas, particles are very far
apart and free to move and their attractions have almost no effect on them.

Removing heat
These processes also work in reverse. But instead of adding heat, heat is removed and the substance is
cooled. When a gas is cooled, the motion of the particles slows down. If the particles loose enough energy,
their attraction for each other can overcome their motion and cause them to associate with one another to
become a liquid. This process is called condensation.

If the liquid is cooled even more, the particles slow down further. The attractions between the particles
cause them to arrange themselves in more fixed and orderly positions to become a solid. This process is
called freezing.

So for any substance, it is the combination of the mutual attraction of the particles and their energy which
determines whether the substance is a solid, liquid, or gas.

Phase changes in water

The activities in this investigation focus on the phase changes
of water. It is important to note that water does not follow the
general rule of becoming most dense as a solid. Typically, the
molecules of a substance are closer together as a solid than as
a liquid. Water molecules are actually further apart from each
other in ice than in liquid water. Because of this, ice is less
dense and floats on water.

Solid ice Liquid water Water vapor

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 329

The difference between heat and temperature
In discussions of changes of state, we talk about heating and cooling a substance, such as water, to affect
the rate of evaporation or condensation. To understand the nature of heat, it is helpful to distinguish it
from temperature.

Temperature is a measure related to the motion of the atoms, ions, or molecules of a substance. Since the
motion of these particles is based on the energy of the substance, temperature is a measure of the average
energy of the particles. Heat is the energy that is transferred from one substance to another due to a tem-
perature difference between them.

Here’s an example: Place a drop of room-temperature water on your hand. Since the temperature of your hand
is higher than the temperature of the water, heat energy moves from your hand into the water. The temperature
of the water will increase while the temperature of that part of your hand will decrease (and feel cooler).

Heat energy is always transferred from a substance with a higher temperature to a substance with a lower
temperature. It is not possible to make something colder by adding “coldness” to it. A substance can only
be cooled by allowing some of its energy to be transferred to something of a lower temperature.

For example, if cans of room-temperature soda pop are placed in a cooler filled with ice, the temperature
of the soda goes down. This is because heat energy is transferred from the warmer soda to the cooler ice.
A loss of some heat energy from the soda results in less motion of the molecules within the soda, which
can be measured as a lower temperature.

Activity 6.1—Matter on the move

Students will see a demonstration where food coloring is placed in hot and cold water. The food coloring
moves and mixes faster in the hot water than in the cold. The extra energy in the hot water increases the
motion of the water molecules resulting in faster mixing. Students will see a follow-up demonstration
where a bottle, with an upside-down lid, is placed in hot tap water. Energy from the hot water is trans-
ferred to the air inside the bottle. This energy increases the motion of the molecules, which move faster
and push harder in all directions against the inside of the bottle. This increase in air pressure inside the
bottle is enough to push up the lid.

Students will place a bottle, with a film of detergent over its opening, into hot water. Energy from the hot
water is transferred to the molecules that make up the air in the bottle. This energy increases the motion
of the molecules, which move faster and push harder in all directions against the inside of the bottle. This
increase in air pressure is enough to make a bubble form at the top of the bottle. When the bottle is placed
in ice water, energy is transferred from the warm air in the bottle to the colder water. The molecules that
make up the air in the bottle slow down and do not push as hard on the inside of the bottle. This is a
decrease in air pressure inside the bottle. The molecules slow down enough and the pressure decreases
enough that the normal air pressure outside the bottle pushes on the bubble and causes it to shrink.

In the explanation above, the phrase “energy is transferred” is used several times to state that energy goes
from the hot water to the air inside the bottle. But how does this happen? The main process that causes
this energy transfer is conduction. The water molecules in the hot water are moving quickly. When the
bottle is placed in the hot water, the water molecules collide repeatedly with the plastic of the bottle. As a
result of these collisions, the molecules of the plastic begin to vibrate faster. These molecules contact the
gas molecules inside the bottle, which in turn vibrate and move faster. The gas molecules also bump into
each other and continue being contacted by the vibrating plastic molecules until the molecules of the gas
are, overall, moving at a greater speed.

330 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Activity 6.2—Evaporation
The water from the wet paper towel evaporates faster when placed on the hot water bag than on the
room-temperature water bag. Energy transferred from the hot water bag increases the motion of the
water molecules on the paper towel. More of these molecules will have enough energy to break away
and become a gas than the water on the paper towel at room-temperature. This is what causes the
increased rate of evaporation from the paper towel on the bag of hot water.

One thing to remember is that temperature is not the only factor that affects the rate of evaporation. Another
important factor is the amount of water vapor already in the air. Even at higher temperatures, the rate of
evaporation will not necessarily increase if there is already a high concentration of water vapor in the air.

Activity 6.3—Condensation
Hot water from the lower cup evaporates and produces water vapor (an invisible gas). The water vapor
moves away from the hot water and loses energy to the relatively cooler upper portion of the cup. This
decreases the motion of the molecules in the water vapor. These water vapor molecules also cool when
they come in contact with the inside surface of the top cup. When the water vapor cools enough, water
molecules form associations with one another and change from water vapor to liquid water, resulting in
tiny droplets on the inside of the upper cup.

Cooling the water vapor with an ice cube placed on the top cup cools the area at the top of the cup.
This slows the movement of the water molecules in the water vapor even more, allowing their attrac-
tions to bring them together faster. This extra cooling of the water vapor increases the rate of condensa-
tion and forms larger drops of water.

Activity 6.4a—Exploring moisture on the outside of a cold cup

Both Activities 6.4a and 6.4b explore the common phenomenon of water condensing on the outside of a
cold cup. If there is enough water vapor in the air, moisture can form on the outside of a cup of ice water
but not on a cup of room-temperature water. This difference is because water vapor near the cup of ice
water loses energy to the cold cup while water vapor near the room-temperature cup does not lose energy
and does not cool. As water vapor molecules cool, they slow down, associate with one another and con-
dense on the cup, forming observable moisture.

Activity 6.4b—Exploring moisture on the outside of a cold cup: For dry environments
If there is not enough water vapor in the air, moisture will not appear on the outside of a cup of ice
water or room-temperature water.

To begin this activity, students use their breath as a source of warm water vapor. They will see that more
moisture forms on a cup of ice water than on a cup of room-temperature water. As in Activity 6.4a, this
difference is because water vapor near the cup of ice water loses energy and cools, while the water vapor
near the room-temperature cup does not cool as much. As the water vapor from breath contacts the colder cup,
the slower-moving molecules form associations and condense on the cup, forming observable moisture.

To investigate whether the amount of water vapor in the air influences whether moisture will form on the
outside of a cold cup, students place cold containers in a sample of humid air that they produce and in the
drier classroom air. Since there is more water vapor in the humid air cup, more water vapor condenses on
the container, resulting in more observable moisture.

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 331

Activity 6.5—From gas to liquid to solid
The surface of the can gets so cold that the water vapor in the air around the can condenses and forms
moisture on the can. This liquid then freezes to form ice. The purpose of adding salt to the ice is to make
the can colder than it would be with ice alone. The reason why adding salt to ice makes the ice–water
mixture colder than it would otherwise be is somewhat involved:

If ice is placed in a well-insulated container, some ice will melt to form water and some liquid water will
re-freeze to form ice. When a balance is reached between the processes of melting and refreezing, the
system is said to be at equilibrium.

Melting is a process that requires energy because it takes energy to break the associations between the
water molecules in ice. So as ice melts, it actually uses some of the energy from the ice–water mixture,
which makes the mixture colder. Freezing is a process that gives off, or releases energy. This is because
energy is released as associations between water molecules form to become ice. So as the
liquid water re-freezes, it actually makes the ice–water mixture warmer.
So if an ice–water mixture is at equilibrium, with melting and freezing balancing each other, the
temperature of the mixture will not change. But adding salt interferes with water’s ability to refreeze.
This upsets the equilibrium so that more ice melts than refreezes. Since the process of melting uses
energy, the mixture gets colder than it would without the salt. Eventually, a new equilibrium is estab-
lished between melting and refreezing, but at a lower temperature.

Energy and changes of state

The concept that it takes energy to break bonds and that energy is released when bonds are formed
is a fundamental principle in chemistry. This concept is used to explain the temperature changes in
endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions. It is also useful when considering changes of state.

In Investigation 5, dealing with chemical change, the bonds being broken and formed are the bonds
holding atoms together within molecules. These are called intramolecular bonds. But in the context of
changes of state, the “bonds” are the associations between one molecule and another. These are called
intermolecular bonds.

Just as energy is absorbed and released in the breaking and making of intramolecular bonds
in chemical reactions, energy is also absorbed and released in the breaking and making of
intermolecular bonds, or associations in changes of state.

Although the activities in this investigation do not monitor the actual temperature changes during changes
of state, you can review some important concepts about energy and state changes with the following phase
change diagrams and explanations.

332 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Phase change diagrams
The phase change diagram titled “Heating water” shows how temperature changes as energy is added to
water. As water is heated, the motion of the water molecules increases. This faster motion is detected as an
increase in temperature.
The first upward-sloping line on the diagram shows
●

that as energy is added, the temperature of the water

increases. As heat is added to the water, the rate of
evaporation increases. The process of evaporation
uses energy so some of the energy being added to
the water is used as water molecules break free to
become water vapor.
At standard atmospheric pressure, the water begins to
●

boil when it reaches 100°C. At this point, the amount

of energy being absorbed in the process of evapora-
tion is equal to the amount of energy being added to
the water so the temperature does not change. This
causes the flat line on the diagram and is called the
boiling point.
Once the liquid water has all become water vapor, add-
●

ing more energy increases the motion of the molecules

in the water vapor and the temperature increases again. This
is shown in the second upward-sloping line on the diagram.

The phase change diagram titled “Cooling water” shows

how temperature changes as energy is removed from
water. As water is cooled, the motion of the water mole-
cules decreases. This slower motion is detected as a
decrease in temperature.
The first downward-sloping line on the diagram
●

shows that as energy is removed, the temperature of

the water decreases.
When the water reaches 0°C, ice begins to form. The
●

process of freezing releases energy. So as energy is

being removed from the water, some energy is being
added by the water molecules associating to become
ice. When the amount of energy added by the freez-
ing water molecules equals the amount of energy
being removed to cool the water, the temperature
does not change. This causes the flat line on the dia-
gram and is called the freezing point.
Once the liquid water has all become ice, removing more energy decreases the motion of the molecules
●

and the temperature decreases again. This is shown in the second downward-sloping line on the diagram.

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 333

 Activity 6.1
Matter on the move
Do heating and cooling have an effect on matter?
In this two-part demonstration and activity, students will be introduced to the idea that heating and
cooling have an effect on matter. They will see that food coloring mixes significantly faster in hot
water than in cold water and begin to develop the idea that adding heat energy increases the move-
ment of water molecules. Students will extend this idea to realize that adding heat energy increases
the movement of gas molecules, too. Students will also do an activity where they heat and cool the
air inside a bottle that is covered with a film of bubble solution. These demonstrations and activities
will help students develop a foundation for why substances change from one state to another.

Materials needed for the demonstrations

Hot tap water 2 Tall clear plastic cups
Cold water 1 Wide clear plastic cup
Blue food coloring Plastic bottle with lid, 1/2 pint or 1/2 liter
Yellow food coloring

Materials needed for each group

Hot water Bubble solution (made with dishwashing
Cold Water liquid, sugar, and water)
3 Wide clear plastic cups Plastic bottle, 1/2 pint or 1/2 liter

Notes about the materials

● Be sure you and the students wear properly fitting goggles.
● Hot tap water is sufficiently hot for the activity. Students should use care when handling
hot tap water.
● You will need two little squeeze bottles each of blue food coloring and yellow food coloring for

the demonstration. This is so that you and a student volunteer can place one drop each of yellow
and blue food coloring into containers of hot and cold water at the same time.

Preparing Materials
● Make a bubble solution for the entire class by adding 4 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and

4 teaspoons of sugar to 1/2 cup of water.

● Gently stir until the sugar and detergent are dissolved.
● Then place about 1 tablespoon of this bubble solution in a wide clear plastic cup for each group.

Activity sheet
Copy Activity sheet 6.1—Matter on the move, pp. 338–342, and distribute one per student
when specified in the activity.
Assessment
An assessment rubric for evaluating student progress during this activity is on pp. 372–373. For this
formative assessment, check a box beside each aspect of the activity to indicate the level of student
progress. Evaluate overall progress for the activity by circling either “Good”, “Satisfactory”, or
“Needs Improvement”.

334 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Activity 6.1
Matter on the move

Question to investigate

Do heating and cooling have an effect on matter?

Take a closer look

1. Have students read the introductory story on Activity sheet 6.1 and ask them to
predict how food coloring will move in hot and cold water.
Distribute Activity sheet 6.1—Matter on the move and have students read the introductory
story. Ask students if they have had similar experiences mixing colored substances in hot or
cold liquids. Then explain that as a demonstration, you will place one drop each of yellow and blue food
coloring in hot water while a student places one drop of each color in cold water. Ask students what they
expect will happen to the drops of color in each cup.

2. Do a demonstration comparing the movement of food coloring in cold water and
hot water.

Procedure
1. Add hot tap water and cold water to two separate clear plastic cups
until they are about ¾ full.
2. With the help of a student volunteer, add 1 drop of blue and 1 drop
of yellow food coloring to each cup at the same time.
3. Do not stir, but watch the colors as they move and mix on their own.

Expected results: The food coloring in the hot water moves and
mixes faster than the coloring in the cold water.

3. Discuss with students what makes food coloring move faster in hot water than in cold.
Help students begin to think about molecular motion by asking them questions such as the following:
● Are these observations similar to anything you have experienced before?
● Do you think the water is moving in each cup?
● What evidence do you have that suggests something about the water is moving?
Explain that water is made up of tiny particles, called molecules, which are too small to see. These par-
ticles are always moving, even in very cold water. Since water molecules move, the molecules help mix
the food coloring.
However, the color mixed faster in the hot water than it did in the cold. Ask students what this might say
about the movement of water molecules in hot and cold water: Do molecules in hot water move faster
than they do in cold water? Students should agree that they probably do. The observation of the color
moving and mixing faster in the hot water is evidence of this.

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 335

Watch this!
4. Do another demonstration to show that heating also affects a gas.
Procedure
1. Add hot tap water to a wide cup until it is about 1/3 full. Make
sure students realize you are using hot water.
2.  Use your finger and a little water to moisten the rim of the bottle
and the top surface of the lid. Then, place the lid upside down
on the bottle so that there are no leaks.
3.  Carefully push the bottle down into the hot water.
Expected results: The lid rises and falls making a tapping sound.
Note: If you would like to show the demonstration again, you can uncover the opening and let some more
air in. Then repeat Steps 2 and 3. If the lid does not tap, check to see that the lid is positioned directly over
the opening of the bottle forming a seal.

5. Discuss with students what may be causing the lid to move.

Ask students if there is anything in the bottle that might be causing the lid to go up and down. After all,
the bottle appears to be empty. Students should recognize that the bottle is filled with air. Explain that
air, like water, is made of tiny particles that are too small to see. In fact air is made up of a mixture of
different molecules—nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide, just to name a few.
Ask students questions such as the following:
● Do you think pushing the bottle into hot water warmed the air in the bottle?
● How might heating the molecules inside the bottle change their motion?
● Is it possible that this faster motion could push the lid up?
When the bottle is heated, the particles in the bottle will move faster and push harder against every part
of the inside of the bottle. Since the lid is on so loosely, these faster-moving particles can push the lid up.
Explain that students will do a similar activity with a film of bubble solution over the opening of the
bottle. Ask students what they think might happen to the film of bubble solution when this bottle is
placed in hot water.

Try this!
6. Have students conduct a similar activity with a film of bubble solution over
the opening of the bottle.

Procedure
Heating a gas
1. Add hot water to a wide cup until it is
about 1/3 full.
2. Lower the open mouth of the bottle into
the cup with detergent solution as shown.
Carefully tilt and lift the bottle out so that
a film of detergent solution covers the opening of the bottle.
3. Slowly push the bottom of the bottle down into the hot water.

336 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Cooling a gas
4. Add cold water to a wide cup until it is
about 1/3 full.
5. Re-dip the opening of the bottle in the
detergent solution and place it in hot
water again to form a bubble.
6. Then slowly push the bottom of the bottle
into the cold water. Alternate placing the
bottle in hot and cold water. Record your observations on the activity sheet.

Expected results: The bubble film grows into a bubble when the bottle is placed in hot water.
When the bottle is placed in cold water, the bubble shrinks. It may even go down into the bottle and
possibly pop.

7. Discuss student observations and explain them in terms of the movement of molecules.
Ask students questions such as the following:
● What happened to the bubble film when you placed the bottle in hot water?
● What happened to the bubble film when you placed the bottle in cold water?
● What can you say about the movement of molecules inside the bottle when the bottle was placed

in hot water and the air inside the bottle was warmed?
● What effect did this increased motion have on the bubble film?
● What can you say about the movement of molecules inside the bottle when the bottle was placed

in cold water and the air inside the bottle was cooled?
● What effect did this decreased motion have on the bubble film?
Students should apply the explanation for the colors mixing faster in hot water and the cause of the
tapping lid to their observations of the bubble film. Students should recognize that the motion of the
molecules inside the bottle increased when it was placed in hot water and decreased when the bottle
was placed in cold water.
When the air was warmed, the molecules inside the bottle moved faster and pushed harder against the
inside of the container. This pushing occurred in all directions. Because a bubble film is very flexible
and easy to push, the faster-moving molecules caused the bubble film to stretch.
When the air is cooled, the molecules inside the bottle move more slowly and push with less force
against the inside of the container. The molecules in the air around the bottle move faster than the
molecules of the cooler air inside the bottle. These molecules in the air outside the bottle push harder
against the flexible bubble film than the molecules inside the bottle do. This causes the bubbles to shrink
down and sometimes even get pushed inside the bottle.

What’s next?
8. Introduce the idea that heating and cooling matter can cause it to change state.
In the demonstrations and activity, students have seen that heating and cooling affects liquids and gases. Ask
students if heating and cooling can affect solids, too. Heating and cooling affects all states of matter—
sometimes causing them to change state. For example, cooling water enough can cause it to become ice
and heating water enough can cause it to become a gas. Ask students for more examples of heating or
cooling that cause matter to change state. Explain that they will do a series of activities to explore the process
of water changing back and forth between water vapor (the gaseous form of water), liquid water, and ice.

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 337

Student activity sheet Name:_______________________________
Activity 6.1
Matter on the move

In art class the other day, we tried making our own watercolor paint. We had food coloring
and were adding drops in different combinations to water. Some kids put their drops in
and stirred, but I put mine in and just let them mix on their own without stirring. It looked
pretty cool. I wondered if it would look any different in hot water, but I didn’t get a chance
to try it. Later in the day, by coincidence, we were also adding food coloring to water in
science. We were seeing how fast colored water moves up a celery stalk. I couldn’t try the
food coloring in hot water because it might mess up the experiment. Finally, when I got
home, I put some ice water in one cup and some hot tap water in another. I added a drop
of blue and a drop of yellow food coloring to each. I didn’t stir—I just watched. I saw a
pretty interesting difference between them.

Do heating and cooling have an effect on matter?

Take a closer look
1. In the demonstration, you saw food coloring move in hot and cold water. What difference
did you notice in the way the color moved and mixed in the water in each cup?

Hot water Cold water

__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________

338 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Student activity sheet Name:_______________________________
Activity 6.1
Matter on the move (continued)

2. Adding heat energy makes water molecules move faster. Use this fact to explain
your observations.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

3. In the second demonstration, you saw your teacher put a bottle
with an upside down lid into hot water.
Describe what happened.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

4. Adding heat energy makes the gas molecules in air move faster. Use this fact to explain
your observations.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Try this!
5. You will do an activity like the one your teacher did with the bottle. But instead of using
a lid, you will place a film of bubble solution over the opening of the bottle. What do you
think will happen to this film of bubble solution when you place the bottle in hot water?
______________________________________________________________________

What makes you think that?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 339

Student activity sheet Name:_______________________________
Activity 6.1
Matter on the move (continued)

What happens to a film of bubble solution when the air inside a

bottle is warmed and cooled?

Procedure

Heating a gas
1. Add hot water to a wide cup until it is about 1/3 full.

2. Lower the open mouth of the bottle into the cup with
detergent solution as shown. Carefully tilt and lift the
bottle out so that a film of detergent solution covers the
opening of the bottle.

3. Slowly push the bottom of the bottle down into the

hot water.

Cooling a gas
4. Add cold water to a wide cup until it is about 1/3 full.

5. Re-dip the opening of the bottle in the detergent solution

and place it in hot water again to form a bubble.

6. Then slowly push the bottom of the bottle into the cold
water. Alternate placing the bottle in hot and cold water.

340 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society

Student activity sheet Name:_______________________________
Activity 6.1
Matter on the move (continued)

6. Draw what happened to the bubble film when the bottle was placed in hot and cold water.

Hot water Cold water

7. Heating a gas makes molecules move faster. Cooling a gas makes molecules move slower.
Use these facts to explain your observations.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

© 2007 American Chemical Society Investigation 6. States of matter 341

Student activity sheet Name:_______________________________
Activity 6.1
Matter on the move (continued)

8. Draw a line from each bottle to the picture of molecules that shows about how fast
they are moving.

Room-temperature water Cold water Hot water

Slow Medium speed Fast

What’s next?
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. You will
explore the way water changes state as it’s heated and cooled in the following activities.

342 Investigation 6. States of matter © 2007 American Chemical Society