Using evidence – heat and change of state
In this activity, students write an explanation of how heat energy is involved in the change of state as ice changes to water and then to water vapour. The science capability ‘Use evidence’ can support students to use information from annotated diagrams to explain scientific observations.
Heat and change of state
This diagram shows the heat energies needed to convert 1 gram of ice at 0°C to its liquid and gaseous states. The unit of energy used is the calorie, which is defined as being the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of 1g of water by 1°C.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
use evidence and information from a diagram to explain how heat energy is involved in changes of state
give reasons for their suggested explanation
identify ways to check their explanation with current science ideas
apply their understanding about changes of state to another situation.
Download the Word file (see below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
student handout.
Nature of Science
This activity links to ‘Understanding about science’ and ‘Investigating in science’. Students engage with the science capability ‘Use evidence’ to develop scientific explanations about change of state.
Useful link
Find out more about the science capabilities on TKI.
