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States of Matter

Watch different types of molecules form a solid, liquid, or gas. Add or remove heat and watch the phase change. Change the temperature or volume of a container and see a pressure-temperature diagram respond in real time. Relate the interaction potential to the forces between molecules.

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Version 1.06
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Topics Teaching Ideas Software Requirements Translated Versions Credits

Topics

Main Topics

  • Phases of Matter
  • Molecular Interaction
  • Interaction Potential

Related Topics

Sample Learning Goals

  • Describe a molecular model for solids, liquids, and gasses.
  • Extend this model to phase changes.
  • Describe how heating or cooling changes the behavior of the molecules.
  • Describe how changing the volume can affect temperature, pressure, and state.
  • Relate a pressure-temperature diagram to the behavior of molecules.
  • Interpret graphs of interatomic potential.
  • Describe how forces on atoms relate to the interaction potential.
  • Describe the physical meaning of the parameters in the Lennard-Jones potential, and how this relates to the molecule behavior.

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Teaching Ideas

Tips for Teachers

There is no teacher's guide for this simulation.

Ideas and Activities for this Sim

There are 10 contributions listed.

Ascending Sort (Z-A)Title Author Level Type Updated
Concept Questions for Chemistry using PhET Designed by PhET IconT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		CQs8/09
Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		CQs8/09
Gases Understanding physical properties of gases (Inquiry Based) Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		Lab
CQs
HW		7/09
Kinetic Molecular theory review Designed by PhET IconT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		Demo
CQs		2/09
Kinetic Molecular Theory- Introduction (inquiry-based) Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		Lab
CQs		6/09
Reactions and Rates 4: Equilibrium LeChatlier Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		HW
Lab		7/09
States of Matter Image of Gold StarE. FirchauHSLab11/08
States of Matter (Inquiry based) Phase Change and Phase diagrams Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarT. LoebleinUG-Intro
HS		Lab2/09
States of Matter for Middle School Image of Gold StarJ. WorkshopMSLab4/09
teacher M. OggeroHSDemo8/09

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Software Requirements

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Windows Systems Macintosh Systems Linux Systems
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
 OS 10.4.11 or later
Apple Java 1.5.0_19 or later
 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later

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Translated Versions

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Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Wendy Adams
  • Paul Beale
  • John Blanco (developer)
  • Sarah McKagan
  • Kathy Perkins
  • Noah Podolefsky
  • Piccolo
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