This model represents the changes of state at the micro-particle level. By heating up and cooling down a set of particles, students can explore the fundamental features of three states. This model is particularly good at letting students identify visual evidence to describe different states and the changes and explore the relationships between particles' kinetic energy and the space they may take.
Grades: 6-8:
NGSS Standards: MS-PS1-4.
All the particles follow three rules: kinetic motion, attraction, and repulsion. The model starts with many randomly distributed particles. All particles have the same initial speed. When users "heat up" the particle, the speed increases. When users "cool down" the particle, the speed decreases. i.e., you add and remove kinetic energy.
Each particle is attracted to one of the other particles in a radius of 5, indicated by the fact that it moves towards the particle a little bit. Each particle is repelled by one of the other particles if the distance between the two particles is less than 1, indicated by the fact that it moves away from the particle a little bit if the distance is less than 1.
1. Choose "Number-of-particles" and "Particle-color" first. The colors do not indicate different types of particles. They are for fun.
2. Click on the button "start/reset" to confirm the setting, and then click "Run/Pause" to run the model.
3. Click the "heat up" or "cool down" buttons while running the model.
THINGS TO NOTICE AND TRY
Can you identify the solid, liquid, and gas states in this model?
What qualitative and/or quantitative evidence can you gather in the model for identifying each of the states?
Does the amount of matter change when the state changes?
What evidence can you gather in the model for determining whether the amount of matter changes?
This model is made by Dr. Lin Xiang at the University of Kentucky .If you mention this model in a publication, we ask that you include the citations below.
Xiang, L. (2020). States of Matter-Basic. Department of STEM Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
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