During this month’s inquiry lessons we explored how states of matter can change if you add or remove heat. First we learned how to read a thermometer. We did a temperature exploration where we measured the temperature of a cup of water. We added ice cubes and watched the temperature drop. Then I poured in hot water and we watched the temperature rise.
Next, we experimented with adding heat to solids to see if they change their state of matter. We used a double boiler to add heat to an ice cube, 3 different Hershey kisses, and a small candy cane. The ice and chocolates melted quickly. The cookies bits in the cookies and cream kiss did not melt. Neither did the candy cane. We predict that if we we were able to add more heat (like in an oven) that all of the solids would eventually melt.)
Finally, we predicted what would happen if we put liquid (orange punch) in the fridge, freezer, and outside to “remove heat from a liquid.” The liquid started out at 68 degrees F. The next morning we observed and recorded our results. The juice that was outside stayed liquid but was 46 degrees F. The juice in the fridge stayed liquid and was 50 degrees F. The juice in the freezer changed into a solid block of juice.
