Page 1 of 5
Lesson 3
Phase Change Stations
Name ____________________________________________ Date ______________ Period ____________
Student Activity
For each Station describe what you see and then decide what state change the substance is going
through. Write how the substance started (solid, liquid, or gas) and how it ended (solid, liquid, or gas).
Can you determine if the substance was absorbing or releasing heat?
Before you go to the next station, write the station number on a post-it and place the post-it on the
corresponding poster for the state change you think you observed. Post-its of the same number should
be grouped together on the poster. Return to your station until directed to go to the next station.
Station
Directions and Observations
Phase Change
(Circle one)
Directions: Using the popsicle stick, scoop out the coconut oil and
place it on the watch glass.
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Coconut
Oil
Lesso
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Page 2 of 5
Lesson 3
Phase Change Stations
Name ____________________________________________ Date ______________ Period ____________
Station
Directions and Observations
Phase Change
(Circle one)
Directions: Observe what is happening on the underside of the lid
(watch glass).
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Watch
Glass
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Directions: Open the dropper of alcohol. Apply several drops of
alcohol to your hand, and observe what happens.
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Alcohol
Lesso
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Page 3 of 5
Lesson 3
Phase Change Stations
Name ____________________________________________ Date ______________ Period ____________
Station
Directions and Observations
Phase Change
(Circle one)
Directions: DO NOT touch the dry ice. Observe what has happened
to the different pieces of dry ice.
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Dry Ice
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Directions: Place a popsicle stick into the wax, and drip some onto
the paper. Observe what happens to the wax. DO NOT LIGHT THE
POPSICLE STICK ON FIRE! PLACE IT IN THE WAX ONLY!
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Wax
Lesso
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Page 4 of 5
Lesson 3
Phase Change Stations
Name ____________________________________________ Date ______________ Period ____________
Station
Directions and Observations
Phase Change
(Circle one)
Directions: Obtain a dry quarter, and place it on top of the dry ice.
Observe what happens. Carefully remove the quarter, and watch
what happens on the surface of the quarter. DO NOT TOUCH THE
DRY ICE DIRECTLY!
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Quarter/
Dry Ice
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Directions: Observe what is happening to the water in the beaker as
it is heated.
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Water on
Hot Plate
Lesso
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Page 5 of 5
Lesson 3
Phase Change Stations
Name ____________________________________________ Date ______________ Period ____________
Station
Directions and Observations
Phase Change
(Circle one)
Directions: Click the small metal disk inside the plastic packet, and
observe what happens while holding the packet. USE ONLY ONE
PACKET SO OTHER TEAMS HAVE A PACKET.
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Hot Pack
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Directions: Observe the outside of the can. Compare the cold can to
the room temperature can.
Describe what occurred:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Room
Why do you think there is a difference between the two cans?
temperature
_______________________________________________________
can of soda
Record the state of matter for the start and end. Choose whether
the substance absorbs heat, releases heat, or if you cannot tell.
Cold Can of
Soda
Lesso
Start:
End:
This
substance…
Solid
Solid
Liquid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Absorbs heat
Releases heat
Cannot tell
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition
Melting
Freezing
Vaporization
Condensation
Sublimation
Deposition