Properties of solids, liquids and gases
The experiments in this section can be used to illustrate the properties of solids, liquids and gases. The experiments are linked to simple particle theory and can be used illustrate and explain changes of state, gas pressure and diffusion.
While we are still at an early stage with this website it's probably more useful to look at the page with our complete list of experiments in alphabetical order. See the list on About this website.
We are starting with GCSE-level experiments.
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Experiments
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Bubbles that float and sink
Carbon dioxide is used to blow bubbles which sink in air. Hydrogen or methane is used to blow bubbles which float in air. Bubbles which sink and then float can also be made.
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Supercooling - the energetics of freezing
This experiment demonstrates the phenomenon of supercooling and illustrates the various associated energy changes which occur.
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Melting and freezing stearic acid
In this class practical solid stearic acid (a constituent of wax) can be heated until it melts and allowed to cool again until it freezes. This allows students to observe melting and freezing points.
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Water expands when it freezes
This demonstration shows that water expands when it freezes. It is useful for explaining how rocks can be broken up when they absorb water and then freeze.
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The sublimation of air-freshener
The sublimation of air freshener can be observed by heating it in a water bath and cooling the resulting vapour. A fume cupboard is required for this experiment.
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Rate of evaporation
In this experiment a drop of propanone is placed on a microscope slide under different conditions and the time taken for it to evaporate is measured.
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Particles in motion?
Students make a test tube of carbon dioxide and then test to see if diffusion occurs by holding a test tube of air over the one of carbon dioxide and vice versa.
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A solid-solid reaction
Solid lead nitrate and solid potassium iodide are shaken together in a small jar. They quickly react to make yellow lead iodide.
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Diffusion in liquids
Students place a crystal of lead nitrate and a crystal of potassium iodide into a petri dish of deionised water. These dissolve, diffuse and react to form yellow lead iodide.
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Diffusion of gases – ammonia and hydrogen chloride
A demonstration to show the diffusion of gases.
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Liquefying chlorine gas
This experiment shows how easy it is to liquefy chlorine gas by cooling alone.
