Blog Post Week 14

 





1. This week in lab we went over what matter and properties are again and added particles. My group defined particles as atoms or molecules. Following this, we did the plunger push again. This time we focused on what is happening to the particles as we suction the plunger to the surface. We learned that when we push the plunger down, it creates a vacuum. This means that some particles are trapped inside while others escape and this is why it sticks. We were removing air from a space. After this, we did simulations online on how particles move depending on the temperature they are at and how they react with other particles depending on this. I learned that you can determine what state of matter something is in depending on the amount of bonds and how spread out the particles are. We determined that as they spread out more they transition for a solid, liquid, to a gas. We also made two flip books where we learned about condensation as well as insulators and conductors. 
4. I can apply what I have learned in lab to my teaching in the future. I would like to use the same plunger activity that we did in class with future students. I thought this was a good visual on how a vacuum worked. I thought it made it easier to understand and was engaging as well. I would also use the online simulations. I liked how you are able to manipulate these at your own pace and there were questions to go along with it. I also think it would be fun to have students create their own flip books to deepen their understanding or I could share the flip books I created with students. 
5. Are there still some particles left in the plunger after creating the vacuum?
What does the temperature need to be for condensation to occur for a cold drink?
Do particles move faster if it is a solid, liquid, or gas?

Comments

  1. Julia MikkelsenApril 26, 2023 at 2:15 PM

    Great post Abby! I am also very curious about any remaining particles in the plunger when it becomes vacuum sealed. I feel like there has to be some particles that would still get trapped under the plunger.

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  2. Amber EmbrockApril 27, 2023 at 9:27 AM

    Good post Abby! I really enjoyed your flip videos! They were very good drawings that showed and explained the process in easily. I can help you answer one of the questions you have. You asked when molecules move the fastest. The answer is gas states because gas particles are more spread apart which allows them to move around more and faster.

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  3. Alicea UlrichApril 27, 2023 at 2:32 PM

    Hi Abby! Really good post! Regarding your 1st question, while the plunger activity aims to remove as many particles as possible to create a vacuum, it is practically impossible to remove all particles. That is at least what I got out of the lecture. Even in a vacuum, there may still be some residual particles that cannot be removed. However, the goal is to reduce the number of particles to a level that is negligible and does not affect the outcome of the experiment or process being carried out.

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  4. Ali CraigApril 29, 2023 at 1:33 PM

    Hi Abby, this is a great post! I also really liked the simulations as I thought they were engaging, and really allow for you to easily test theories about the processes you're observing. I would love to offer these simulations for my students to use when looking at the movement of particles. Also to attempt at answering a couple of your questions, I think that there are definitely still particles in the plunger as there is still space between the plunger and the surface even when pushed down. As for the last question I found my answer through the simulation and discussion in lecture that particles move the fastest as a gas because they are able to move around more freely typically.

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  5. Lexi MooreMay 4, 2023 at 6:09 AM

    hi abby! I really enjoyed your post. I like the questions you posed at the end, I also wonder about the remaining particles when the vacuum is sealed. I would also love to provide simulations for my future students some day!

    ReplyDelete

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