The Science behind the Show WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATER
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WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATER Welcome to Generation Science! Brought to you by the Edinburgh International Science Festival, our shows and workshops spark pupils’ curiosity and bring science to life. What we do Each show or workshop is fully equipped and delivered by trained science communicators. We create fun, interactive environments where everyone gets out of their seats and gets involved. Our inspiring demonstrations and engaging activities are linked to the Curriculum for Excellence, explaining key concepts in a unique and memorable way. www.sciencefestival.co.uk/education The Science behind the Show All matter (i.e. everything) in the universe is made up of tiny particles (atoms and molecules). Whether that matter is a solid, liquid or a gas depends on how these particles are behaving. Particles are always moving (vibrating). When particles come very close together there are forces of attraction (due to internal structure of atoms) that attract particles to each other and stick them together (atomic bonding). Solids, liquids and gasses each have different properties; • Solids have a fixed shape and volume. • Liquids have a fixed volume but their shape will change to fit whatever container they are in. • Gasses change volume and shape to fit whatever container they are in. The reason they each behave differently is because of the structure of their particles. In a solid, particles are strongly attracted to each other and have strong bonds between them. This means the particles are held together in fixed positions with the particles vibrating around these fixed positions. In a liquid, the particles are still close together but their vibrations are so vigorous that the forces of attraction between the particles are weaker and therefore can’t hold them in a fixed position. As a result, particles in a liquid can roll around each other meaning the liquid can flow. In a gas, the particles are moving around in all directions at high speed. There is hardly any attraction between the particles. Changes of state The reason the particles behave differently as a solid, liquid or a gas is due to the amount of energy they have. Moving between each of these states is called changes of state and can be brought about by giving or taking energy away from particles. When particles gain energy, they move around more. The kinetic energy of the particles overcomes the force of attraction that binds particles when they are close together. The more energy the particles gain the more vigorously they can move, hence the transition from solid to liquid to gas. When particles lose energy, their movement slows down and if they bump into each other the particles tend to stick together. This is because their kinetic energy cannot overcome the forces of attraction that exist between particles at close range. So as the kinetic energy of particles decreases, the harder it is to overcome these forces of attraction and hence the transition from gas to liquid to solid. Event Description Wonderful World of Water is an interactive science show which allows pupils to explore the properties of water in its three different states (solid, liquid, gas) and how water moves between these states. The show follows two weather presenters as they try, along with help from the pupils, to establish how clouds, rain and snow are produced. The show contains lots of demonstrations many of which include pupils participating in live experiments. Curriculum Links Wonderful World of Water complements the following experiences and outcomes in the Science strand: SCN1-05a: By investigating how water can change from one form to another, I can relate my findings to everyday experiences. SCN 2-05a: I can apply my knowledge of how water changes state to help me understand the processes involved in the water cycle in nature over time. Learning Outcomes • Recall the three states that water can exist in: solid, liquid, gas. • Describe the characteristics of water while in these three states. • Name the terms used to describe water changing between these states and explain what they mean: evaporation, condensation, freezing, melting. • Understand how particles behave in the three states of water. • Recall how water moves in a cycle in the atmosphere through these states to produce clouds, rain and snow. The re-development of Generation Science teacher notes has been made possible by a grant from the Texas Instruments Community Fund Some Useful Links http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Education/Programs/Do-it-yourself-science.aspx http://www.seametrics.com/water-cycle-guide Scottish Charity Registration Number: SC003790 Generation Science, Harbourside House, 110 Commercial Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6NF
Transcript of The Science behind the Show WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATER
WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATERWelcome to Generation Science!
Brought to you by the Edinburgh International Science Festival, our shows and workshops spark pupils’ curiosity and bring science to life.
What we doEach show or workshop is fully equipped and delivered by trained science communicators. We create fun, interactive environments where everyone gets out of their seats and gets involved. Our inspiring demonstrations and engaging activities are linked to the Curriculum for Excellence, explaining key concepts in a unique and memorable way.
www.sciencefestival.co.uk/education
The Science behind the ShowAll matter (i.e. everything) in the universe is made up of tiny particles (atoms and molecules). Whether that matter is a solid, liquid or a gas depends on how these particles are behaving.
Particles are always moving (vibrating). When particles come very close together there are forces of attraction (due to internal structure of atoms) that attract particles to each other and stick them together (atomic bonding).
Solids, liquids and gasses each have different properties;
• Solids have a fixed shape and volume.
• Liquids have a fixed volume but their shape will change to fit whatever container they are in.
• Gasses change volume and shape to fit whatever container they are in.
The reason they each behave differently is because of the structure of their particles.
In a solid, particles are strongly attracted to each other and have strong bonds between them. This means the particles are held together in fixed positions with the particles vibrating around these fixed positions.
In a liquid, the particles are still close together but their vibrations are so vigorous that the forces of attraction between the particles
are weaker and therefore can’t hold them in a fixed position. As a result, particles in a liquid can roll around each other meaning the liquid can flow.
In a gas, the particles are moving around in all directions at high speed. There is hardly any attraction between the particles.
Changes of stateThe reason the particles behave differently as a solid, liquid or a gas is due to the amount of energy they have. Moving between each of these states is called changes of state and can be brought about by giving or taking energy away from particles.
When particles gain energy, they move around more. The kinetic energy of the particles overcomes the force of attraction that binds particles when they are close together. The more energy the particles gain the more vigorously they can move, hence the transition from solid to liquid to gas.
When particles lose energy, their movement slows down and if they bump into each other the particles tend to stick together. This is because their kinetic energy cannot overcome the forces of attraction that exist between particles at close range. So as the kinetic energy of particles decreases, the harder it is to overcome these forces of attraction and hence the transition from gas to liquid to solid.
Event Description
Wonderful World of Water is an interactive science show which allows pupils to explore the properties of water in its three different states (solid, liquid, gas) and how water moves between these states. The show follows two weather presenters as they try, along with help from the pupils, to establish how clouds, rain and snow are produced. The show contains lots of demonstrations many of which include pupils participating in live experiments.
Curriculum Links
Wonderful World of Water complements the following experiences and outcomes in the Science strand:
SCN1-05a: By investigating how water can change from one form to another, I can relate my findings to everyday experiences.
SCN 2-05a: I can apply my knowledge of how water changes state to help me understand the processes involved in the water cycle in nature over time.
Learning Outcomes
• Recallthethreestatesthatwatercanexist in: solid, liquid, gas.
• Describethecharacteristicsof water while in these three states.
• Namethetermsusedtodescribewater changing between these states and explain what they mean: evaporation, condensation, freezing, melting.
• Understandhowparticlesbehave in the three states of water.
• Recallhowwatermovesinacycleinthe atmosphere through these states to produce clouds, rain and snow.
The re-development of Generation Science teacher notes has been made possible by a grant from the Texas Instruments Community Fund
Some Useful Links
http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Education/Programs/Do-it-yourself-science.aspx
http://www.seametrics.com/water-cycle-guide
ScottishCharityRegistrationNumber:SC003790GenerationScience,HarboursideHouse,110CommercialStreet,Edinburgh,EH66NF
FOLLOW-UP CLASSROOM ACTIVITY 2
Investigate Melting You will need:• 4 small cups or bowls
• Ice cubes
• Timer
• Syringe (to measure melt water)
• Materials e.g. paper, foil, fabric, polystyrene
FOLLOW-UP CLASSROOM ACTIVITY 1
Make your own frost!You will need:• Metal can• Water• Ice cubes• Salt• Paper towel• Thermometer (optional)
WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATER
Can you explain how you made frost?
Explanation
When ice is added to the water in the can, the temperature of the water drops. The can is metal and a good conductor so any part of it touching the cold water cools as well. Water vapour in the air bumps into the sides of the cool can and the lower temperature causes liquid to condense on its surface.When salt is dissolved in the ice water,
it causes the ice to melt and the temperature of the mixture drops. Thefreezingpointofwateris0˚C but the salt lowers the freezing point soat0˚Cthemixtureisliquid.
Melting the ice is a process that uses energy, usually heat. But when we add salt the mixture takes heat from its surroundings in order to melt.
As a result the temperature of the mixture drops.
This temperature drop caused by the salt also cools the can but this time the side of the can cools enough to freeze the water condensed on its surface and creates a frost.
1.Fillcanabout¼fullofcoldwater.Putthethermometerin can and make sure the outside of the can is dry.
2. Add 4-5 ice cubes to the can and stir gently. Watch what happens to the outside of the can.
3. When mist forms on the can note down the temperature. You have just condensed water vapour in the air back into liquid water.
4. Nowaddsalt.Stirandwaitafewmoments.Scrape your nail through the mist – the dew is now frost. What’s the temperature now?
What difference do you think each material made?
Explanation
Water changes from a solid to a liquid when its particles gain energy. Heat is a form of energy and causes ice to melt. Heat always travels from hotter to colder areas, so if an ice cube is left in a warm room, the heat moves from the air to the ice cube.
The movement of heat can be slowed down by using insulating materials that are hard for heat to move through. Polystyrene is a good insulator – an ice cube wrapped in it will melt more slowly in a warm room than one left exposed to the air.
In this experiment the ice cubes must be put in the same place so no other factors affect the speed at which they melt and we can test which materials are the best insulators.
WONDERFUL WORLD OF WATER
Did You Know?If you add salt to water it gets colder
Wait longer and you’ll get loads of frost!
1. Put one ice cube in each bowl. 2. Put a different material around each bowl. Don’t’putanythingaroundthefourthbowl.
3. Put them all in the same place. Leave for 15 minutes. (Why should you put them all in the same place?).
4. Usethesyringetomeasurehowmuchicehasmelted. Which ice cube lasted the longest?
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