Phase Change

Front

What is a phase change?

Back

A phase change is a transition of matter from one state (solid, liquid, gas) to another due to changes in energy or temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What happens to molecules in a solid?

Back

In a solid, molecules are closely packed together and vibrate in place, resulting in a fixed shape.

Front

What happens to molecules in a liquid?

Back

In a liquid, molecules are close together but can move past one another, allowing the liquid to take the shape of its container.

Front

What happens to molecules in a gas?

Back

In a gas, molecules are far apart and move freely, filling the entire volume of their container.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion; as the kinetic energy of molecules increases, they move faster.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Front

What is condensation?

Back

Condensation is the phase change from gas to liquid, occurring when gas molecules lose energy and come closer together.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

Evaporation is the phase change from liquid to gas, occurring when liquid molecules gain energy and move farther apart.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What is freezing?

Back

Freezing is the phase change from liquid to solid, occurring when liquid molecules lose energy and become closely packed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What is melting?

Back

Melting is the phase change from solid to liquid, occurring when solid molecules gain energy and move apart.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

How does temperature affect phase changes?

Back

Increasing temperature generally adds energy to molecules, causing them to move faster and potentially change from solid to liquid or liquid to gas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4