States of matter
The ice cube melting race
Where does an ice cube melt fastest, and why?
Watch first
See how the same stuff can be a solid, a liquid or a gas.
What you need
Tick each one as you find it — 0 of 4 ready.
Plan the fair test
- Change: Where the ice cube is kept
- Measure: How long it takes to melt completely
- Keep the same: Same size cube, same saucer, all started at the same time
Objectives this evidences
- Compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases
Do it, one step at a time
Step 1 of 4
- Step 1. Put one ice cube on each saucer.
- Step 2. Place one on a sunny windowsill, one in a cool cupboard, one in your hand held still, and one wrapped in a tea towel.
- Step 3. Check every two minutes and write the time when each one has completely melted.
- Step 4. Put the results in a table and say which melted first and last.
What should happen
The warmest place melts first; the wrapped one lasts longest because the towel slows heat reaching it.
Think about: Melting is a change of state, not a change of substance. How could you prove the water is still the same stuff?
Write up your result
A sentence or two is enough to save it.
The lessons behind this practical
Each one opens with the same short film, and the film has a written transcript underneath if reading is easier than watching.
Now the quiz for this topic
Questions come from the lessons behind this practical, so nothing is asked that has not been taught.
Quiz
States of matter quiz
4 questions from the lessons in this stage. No timer, and you can try again as many times as you like.