Using Ice to Learn About the Three States of Matter
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These easy elementary science experiment involve discovering why salt melts ice and reviews the three different states that water can be found in.
The Three States of Matter
The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. For our science experiment we will use ice which is the solid form of water.
- A solid is firm and stable and its molecules are organized together. Examples of solids are ice cubes, a table, or a shoe.
- Liquids will fill in the space of the container they are in. The molecules are still close together but don’t have good organization. Examples of liquids are water, oil, and juice.
- A gas will fill it’s container and you can easily pass through it. Its molecules are loose, disorganized, and on the move. Examples of gases are the air we breath, water vapor, and helium.
Can your child find some examples around the house of a solid, liquid, and a gas?
Science Experiment : Lowering Ice’s Melting Point
- Grab a block of ice, an ice cube, or an icicle.
- Pour salt on top of your ice (You can try using different types of salt such as sidewalk salt and table salt and see if there is a difference).
- Add some drops of food coloring on top to help accentuate the melting ice.
Salt lowers the melting point of ice. The areas where salt touched the ice melted faster than the rest of the ice. The dye will seep into these cracks and rivulets created by lowering the melting point in these areas faster than the surrounding ice.
Science Experiment : Comparison of Salt, Sugar, and Pepper in Ice’s Melting Point
- Gather up 3 ice cubes
- Put salt on one, sugar on another and pepper on the last one.
Which one melts fastest? Salt lowers the melting point the most so it should melt it the fastest. Whereas the pepper should be the slowest.
The Three States of Water
When water reaches below 32 F (0 C) it turns from a liquid (water) to a solid (ice). This is called its freezing point. The melting point of water is 32 F. This is when water changes from a solid (ice) to a liquid (water). Evaporation is when water in liquid form turns into a gas (water vapor). This happens at 212 F (100 C). I have a thermometer printable activity included in my printable kindergarten bundle if you want to touch on this topic some more with your young ones!
Have fun learning!
More Science Experiment Ideas:
Homemade Playdough and The Science Behind It
Science Experiments With Seeds
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