Monday, April 9, 2007

Atoms, Molecules and HEAT: The particle theory of matter



Dr Spacey and Dr Acre have been working with the MOLO program using Molecular workbench software. This particular example is called phase change #180. You can use it to help you understand the particle theory of matter. You add heat with the bunsen burner and remove heat by throwing dry ice at the test tube - its really fun!

What is happening to the atoms and molecules when we heat or cool matter?

What does transfer of heat energy to matter do to it?

What does heating something really mean?

Fascinating questions! Ask Dr Spacey and Dr Acre for more information.

Dr. Boyle

The Particle Theory of Matter explains the Nature of Matter in Different Phases
by Dr Luna Spacey and Dr Kendra Acre

When you reach a high temperature the water in the test tube boils and evaporates. When the temperature of the test tube goes up, the water molecules move faster.
When you make the temperature very low the water condenses and goes down to the bottom of the test tube again. The water molecules move more slowly when the dry ice cools down the water.
The model depicts a liquid when the molecules are moving but they are moving slowly so the water isn't frozen or in a gas state.
I think that the model shows water in a solid state when the molecules are moving only a little and they are moving very closely together.
Temperature related to the motion of molecules in that heat makes molecules move faster.
Molecules in ice are moving, but close together.
The motion of molecules in a gas is faster and they move farther apart whereas the molecules in a liquid are closer together.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Drs. Acre and Spacey for trying out this Molo program. What did you think of it? Should I incorporate it into my classes for explaining the particle theory of matter?
Dr B.

Anonymous said...

This is a transmission from another world, KERTRATS, you should receive it in your Earth Year of 2020. We have intercepted your communications and interpreted your language. We have trouble understanding your concept of the individual. We, the GROB, are interconnected and integrated. We form a continuum. We form a continuous unit. What hurts one hurts everyone. Our whole planet forms a continuum: what hurts one part of the planet hurts everyone and everything. We are a system. The system is called GROB. We can act singly but we act for the whole. We are GROB. We wonder what it is that gave your people the view of the importance of individuals. When you act singly you act for the individual and forget about the whole. You forget the interconnectedness of your GROB. We notice how this view influences your observations and even your scientific theories. We intercepted a communication explaining your particle theory of matter. Only an individual-centered society such as yours could produce a theory such as this. We in KERTRATS know that MATTER is a continuous substance. When we exert pressure on one part all parts react. We intercepted your transmission in your Earth Year 1920. We wonder if you still feel the same way about the importance of individuals?
End of transmission.

Anonymous said...

i think that the molo program was a very fun way of learning. a way of learning that makes learning more fun. instead of listening to a teacher drone on for the hour in class they could learn with the molo program. incorporating this program in your class would be a very good idea.