States of Matter & Phase Changes Interactive Simulation | Physical Science | Grades 6–8

This Interactive Simulation has grades 6–8 Middle School Physical Science students run a hands-on classroom model of States of Matter & Phase Changes.

Driving question: "How do thermal energy inputs, material type, and sample mass interact to dictate temperature changes and phase transitions?" Objective: Measure temperature changes during the heating and melting of ice water, construct an empirical heating curve, and compare the specific heat response of water versus cooking oil.

What's inside: objective and background, a materials list (1 electric laboratory hot plate with…; 2 250 mL Pyrex glass beakers (labeled…; 2 digital temperature probes accurate…; 1 digital laboratory balance accurate…), an 8-step protocol, a data table, 4 analysis questions, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Interactive Simulation (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word lab handout with approximately 640 words (~4 pages).

Classroom use: a team investigation in a Middle School Physical Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.