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Year 10
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A heating curve for water

I can use the particle model to describe the effect of heating to melt a solid or to boil a liquid.

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New
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Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

A heating curve for water

I can use the particle model to describe the effect of heating to melt a solid or to boil a liquid.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A random error is a chance difference between an observed value and the true value.
  2. Random errors can be caused by mistakes in taking readings, or by taking a reading at the wrong time.
  3. The temperature of a melting solid does not change as it heated.
  4. The temperature of a boiling liquid does not change as it is heated.

Keywords

  • Melting - the change of state from a solid to a liquid that happens at a fixed temperature for pure substances

  • Boiling - the change of state from a liquid to a gas that happens at a fixed temperature for pure substances

  • Change of state - changing from a solid to a liquid or liquid to gas (or the reverse)

Common misconception

The molecules of a substance change when a substance melts or break down into individual atoms when it boils.

Provide opportunity for pupils to describe, in their own words, the effect on particles of the melting and boiling processes.


To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: A heating curve for water, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Talk about the solid, liquid and gas states of water, rather than ice, water and steam. This reinforces understanding that the particles in each are identical apart from motion, spacing and bonding. Perhaps discuss why you are doing this.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

heating apparatus (Bunsen, tripod, heat resistant mat, gauze), beaker, thermometer, timer, pure ice samples, graph paper

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following processes happen when two everyday objects at different temperatures are placed in contact with each other?
chemical reactions
Correct answer: thermal conduction
electrical conduction
evaporation
change of mass
Q2.
Which of the following pieces of equipment should be used to measure the change in temperature of a substance?
a joulemeter
an ammeter
a voltmeter
Correct answer: a thermometer
a top pan balance
Q3.
Which of the following pieces of equipment should be used to accurately measure the volume of a sample of a liquid?
a 100 cm³ beaker
a 250 cm³ beaker
Correct answer: a 100 cm³ measuring cylinder
a 250 cm³ measuring cylinder
Q4.
Which of the following are precautions that should be used when heating a beaker of water using a Bunsen burner?
Correct answer: After heating, allow the apparatus to cool before handling it.
Use the yellow flame for heating.
Correct answer: Tie back long hair.
Correct answer: Always stand up when heating the water.
Leave the room to avoid the possibility of burns.
Q5.
Which of the following is the correct equation to calculate the energy required to increase the temperature of a material?
energy required = mass + specific heat capacity + temperature change
Correct answer: energy required = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
energy required = mass × specific heat capacity ÷ temperature change
energy required = mass × specific heat capacity
energy required = mass + specific heat capacity × temperature change
Q6.
A block of pure ice is heated in a beaker until it has all melted. Which of the following statements are correct?
All the ice will melt at the same time.
Correct answer: The ice will melt gradually over time.
The particles in the water are different to the particle in the ice.
Correct answer: The arrangement of the particles changes as the ice melts.
Correct answer: On average, the particles move faster as the temperature increases.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following key words to their definition.
Correct Answer:melting,change of state from a solid to a liquid
tick

change of state from a solid to a liquid

Correct Answer:boiling, change of state from a liquid to a gas
tick

change of state from a liquid to a gas

Correct Answer:freezing,change of state from a liquid to a solid
tick

change of state from a liquid to a solid

Correct Answer:condensing,change of state from a gas to a liquid
tick

change of state from a gas to a liquid

Q2.
Match the following states of matter to the description of particle behaviour.
Correct Answer:solid,Particles vibrate about fixed positions.
tick

Particles vibrate about fixed positions.

Correct Answer:liquid,Particles flow past each other.
tick

Particles flow past each other.

Correct Answer:gas,Particles move freely past each other.
tick

Particles move freely past each other.

Q3.
Why do most solids expand when their temperature increases?
The particles gain mass, so take up more space.
The individual particles grow larger, so take up more space.
Correct answer: The average particle speed increases, so they occupy a larger volume.
The empty space between particles decreases.
New particles are made by the extra energy, so the solid takes up more space.
Q4.
Which of the following statements describes what happens when a pure substance boils and changes from a liquid to a gas?
the temperature gradually decreases
Correct answer: the temperature remains constant
the temperature gradually increases
Correct answer: the change of state happens at an exact temperature
the change of state can happen over a range of temperatures
Q5.
Which of the following statements describe what happens when a pure substance freezes and changes from a liquid to a solid?
the temperature gradually decreases
Correct answer: the temperature remains constant
the temperature gradually increases
Correct answer: the change of state happens at an exact temperature
the change of state can happen over a range of temperatures
Q6.
Equal masses of samples of different substances, X and Y, are heated at the same rate. Substance X has a higher specific heat capacity than substance Y. Which of the following statements is correct?
The melting point of X and Y are the same.
The melting point of X must be higher than that of Y.
The melting point of Y must be higher than that of X.
Substance X will increase in temperature more quickly than substance Y.
Correct answer: Substance X will increase in temperature more slowly than substance Y.

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