Harry Grubman 01/19/2014 PCLS Mr. James Linzel This is a model that uses penguins and their behavior in changing temperatures to
demonstrate how molecules behave in certain temperatures and forms. The different states of
matter that are discussed are solid, liquid, and gas.
Figure 1: Penguins huddle together
In the coldest parts of the winter, Antarctic penguins huddle together in order to preserve
heat (see above Figure 1). Just like this, in cold temperatures, molecules will form tight bonds
together. The penguins bunched together is the example of a solid. In the case of H2O, this
would be ice. The molecules will stay together until they experience a significant change in
pressure or temperature.
If a solid mass is heated the molecules will vibrate slightly more quickly but as long as it
is a solid none of the molecules will be rotating. If the mass is cooled, the molecules will stop
vibrating as much and stick closer together.
Harry Grubman 01/19/2014 PCLS Mr. James Linzel Figure 2: Penguins roaming freely
When the temperature rises above freezing, Antarctic penguins move around a bit, but
mostly stay near each other (see above Figure 2). Penguins even wobble a bit, just as the water
molecules would. As with the penguins in moderately warm temperatures, molecules will rotate
and break free from their clusters. Like the penguins, the molecules move slightly away from
each other but for the most part they will stay loosely bonded. This is the example of a liquid, or
in the case of H2O this would be liquid water. They will stay this way until they experience a
significant change in pressure or temperature.
If liquid matter is heated, the molecules will rotate and break their bonds with each other,
but as long as it remains a liquid most of the molecules will have bonds together. If the mass is
cooled, the molecules slow down and eventually stop rotating and stick closer together.
Harry Grubman 01/19/2014 PCLS Mr. James Linzel Figure 3: Penguins playing and moving away from each other.
In the summer when the temperatures rise, Antarctic penguins move around very quickly
sliding their bellies along the snow (see above Figure 3). Just like this, in high temperatures
molecules will translate, moving very quickly away from each other and bonds will be broken.
This would be a gas, or in the case of H2O, steam. The molecules will stay this way until they
experience a significant change in pressure or temperature.
If a gas is heated the molecules will translate even more dramatically. If the mass is
cooled, the molecules will stop translating and start to rotate and stay closer together.
Photo Citations:
http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/emperor-penguins-antarctica-wallpapershd_emperor_penguins_antarctica-normal.jpg
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OL7O5O7U4Gs/maxresdefault.jpg
http://www.polartrec.com/files/members/anne-marie-wotkyns/images/pc210332-1.jpg