Particle Lab: States of Matter

Heat and cool particles to watch solids melt and liquids boil, then answer five quick questions.

A live particle simulation. Students drag the temperature slider and watch the particles vibrate in a solid, slide past each other in a liquid and fly apart in a gas. After exploring, they answer five questions about particles, melting and boiling. Great on the board for whole-class discussion.

Learning goals

  • Describe particle arrangement and movement in solids, liquids and gases
  • Explain melting and boiling using the particle model
  • Link temperature to how fast particles move