What happens when a substance changes state? | Lesson plan | 11–14 years

What happens when a substance changes state

Source: Royal Society of Chemistry

Use this lesson plan, complete with scaffolded and unscaffolded student sheets, to secure learners’ understanding of changes of state

In this activity, learners watch a demonstration, then answer questions to probe their misconceptions and to develop scientific understanding about what happens when a substance changes state.

Students will be able to explain that:

  • Molecules do not break up and reform when a substance boils and cools.
  • Particles stay the same size and shape during state changes.
  • Particles move around and are not static.
  • Freezing means ‘liquid changing to solid’ and does not rely on cold temperatures.

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