Name
Date
1.1 Act 4
Pd
Making inferences about
Particles in Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Station 1 water:
Materials for station 1 - Water:
· Hot plate on LOW setting
· Pan of water
· Bowl of ice
· Tongs
· Flask capped w/rubber stopper into which glass tube has been inserted
· Colored water
· Glass marker
1. Notice the level of the colored water in the flask with the glass tube.
2. Record what happens when you set the flask in the bowl of ice.
3. Record what happens when you set the flask in a pan of water on the hot plate?
4. Discuss with your partners what you think is happening to the water particles that might
explain your observations. Try to draw a picture of the “particle model” that may account for
your observations.
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
1
Gr 8 MSS U1.1 Act 4 v.1
Station 2 - wire:
Materials for Station 2:
· 0.5 m lengths of copper wire, about 32 gauge
· Meter stick
· Ring stand
· Clamp to attach ring stand to table
· Weight hanger
· Slotted masses (100g - 500g)
1. Observe and record what happens when you and a partner add weights to the hanging copper
wire? Careful observation will be required.
2.
From your observations, what can you infer about the particles of copper that compose the
wire? Try to draw a picture of the “particle model” to illustrate your ideas.
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
2
Gr 8 MSS U1.1 Act 4 v.1
Station 3 syringes:
Materials:
· 3 plastic syringes
· air
· Sand
· Water
1. Observe the three syringes. One is filled with sand, one with water, and one with air. Try to
compress the contents of each syringe. What do you find?
2. Based upon your observations, what can you infer about the particles of sand, water, and air?
Try to draw a picture of the “particle model” that can account for your observations.
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
3
Gr 8 MSS U1.1 Act 4 v.1
Station 4 Air Freshener:
Materials:
Solid air freshener with adjustable container
1. What do you notice as you open, then close, the vents on the solid room freshener? Please close
the air freshener after you complete your observations so it is ready for the next group.
2. Try to explain your observations in terms of what is happening to the particles of the solid
freshener. Draw a picture of the “particle model” to illustrate your ideas.
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
4
Gr 8 MSS U1.1 Act 4 v.1
Station 5 - blocks:
Materials for station 3:
2 blocks
Balance
Metric ruler
1. Examine the two blocks. How do their volumes compare? Their masses? Record your
observations including your quantitative measurements.
2. How can you explain your observations in terms of the particles of which each block is
composed? Try to draw a picture of the “particle model” that can account for your observations.
©American Modeling Teachers Association 2014
5
Gr 8 MSS U1.1 Act 4 v.1