Boiling and condensing
I can measure the boiling point of water and explain what happens to particles when a substance in the gas state condenses.
Boiling and condensing
I can measure the boiling point of water and explain what happens to particles when a substance in the gas state condenses.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The condensing point and boiling point are the same temperature for a substance, for water this is 100°C.
- Steam is water in the gas state.
- A substance increases in volume in the gas state when boiled.
- A substance decreases in volume in the liquid state when condensed.
- Particles move further apart when boiled and move closer together when condensed.
Keywords
Boiling - when a substance in the liquid state is heated, and gas bubbles are formed.
Boiling point - the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid state to a gas state.
Condensing - when a substance in the gas state is cooled and changes to a liquid state.
Condensing point - the temperature at which a substance changes from a gas state to a liquid state.
Common misconception
Pupils tend to think that all gases are made of air. That gases contain no particles.
Ensure that pupils gain the knowledge that the particles are the substance and between the particles there is nothing.
To help you plan your year 7 science lesson on: Boiling and condensing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 science lesson on: Boiling and condensing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Solid, liquid, gas states and changes of state unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The temperature at which condensing occurs.
The temperature at which boiling occurs.
When particles change from the liquid to gas state.
When particles change from the gas to the liquid state.