Classroom Resource

Gas Properties

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

In this PhET Activity, students will explore the relationships between the pressure, volume, temperature, and density of ideal gases. As an extension, students can visualize, using graphs, how the temperature and pressure of a gas impact the speed and kinetic energy of particles. This activity can be used as an exploratory introduction to the behavior of gases, as a digital lab, or to reinforce student knowledge of confined gases.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Physical Science

SC15.PS.2

Plan and carry out investigations (e.g., squeezing a balloon, placing a balloon on ice) to identify the relationships that exist among the pressure, volume, density, and temperature of a confined gas.

Unpacked Content

UP:SC15.PS.2

Vocabulary

  • Pressure
  • Volume
  • Temperature
  • Density
  • Mass
  • Gas
  • Solid
  • Liquid
  • Control
  • Dependent variable
  • Independent variable
  • Direct relationship
  • Indirect relationship
  • Molecular-kinetic theory of matter
  • Heat vs. temperature
  • States of matter

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Gases can be compressed very tightly or expanded to fill a very large space.
  • As the temperature of a gas increases, the gas particles move faster and hit the sides of their container more frequently.
  • As the temperature of a gas decreases, the gas particles move more slowly and hit the sides of their container less frequently.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Plan and carry out investigations to determine the relationship of the variables: pressure, temperature, volume, and density.
  • Create graphical representations of data from the investigation.
  • Analyze and interpret data from the investigation.
  • Communicate information collect from the investigations.
  • Use safe lab procedures.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The changes in volume, pressure and temperature of a gas demonstrate a pattern that can be related mathematically.
  • These relationships can be direct or indirect.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect
Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Chemistry

SC15.CHM.7

Plan and carry out investigations to explain the behavior of ideal gases in terms of pressure, volume, temperature, and number of particles.

Unpacked Content

UP:SC15.CHM.7

Vocabulary

  • Pressure
  • Volume
  • Temperature
  • Number of particles
  • System
  • Atomic/ molecular level
  • Macroscopic level
  • independent variable
  • Dependent variable
  • controlled variable(s)
  • Direct proportional/ relationship
  • Inverse proportional/ relationship
  • Avogadro's Law
  • Boyle's Law
  • Charles' Law
  • Gay-Lussac's Law (Amontons' Law)
  • Ideal gas law
  • Constant

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Behavior of gases is determined by the movement and interactions of the particles.
  • Relationships among the variables (pressure, volume, temperature, number of particles) can be used to predict the changes to a gaseous system.
  • The movement and interactions of gas particles within a system and the type of sytem determine the behavior of gases.
  • Relationships among the variables (pressure, volume, temperature, number of particles) can be used to predict the changes to a gaseous system.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Plan an investigation that describes experimental procedure, including how data will be collected, number of trials, experimental setup, and equipment required.
  • Conduct an investigation to collect and record data that can be used to describe the relationship between the measureable properties of a substance and the motion of the particles of the substance.
  • Analyze recorded data to explain the behavior of ideal gases in terms of pressure, volume, temperature, and number of particles.
  • Identify relevant components in mathematical representations of the gas laws.
  • Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/ or models (e.g., computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims.
  • Use mathematical representations to determine the value of any relevant components in mathematical representations of the gas laws, given the other values.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Scientists plan and conduct investigations individually and collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence.
  • Changes in the variables that affect the motion of gas particles can be described and predicted using scientific investigations.
  • The patterns of interactions between particles at the atomic/ molecular/ particulate level are reflected in the patterns of behavior at the macroscopic scale.
  • Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural or designed systems.
  • Mathematical representations of phenomena are used to support claims and may include calculations, graphs or other pictorial depictions of quantitative information.
  • Changes in the variables that affect the motion of gas particles can be described and predicted using scientific investigations.
  • Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural or designed systems.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity; Energy and Matter
Link to Resource
Gas Properties

CR Resource Type

Interactive/Game

Resource Provider

PhET
Accessibility
License

License Type

Attribution

Comments or Notes

Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.

If the teacher does not have a PhET account, he/she can create a FREE account. (More information on how PhET works can be found at Getting Started.)

This work is attributed to:

PhET Interactive Simulations

University of Colorado

https://phet.colorado.edu.

Approved Date

Georgeann Hester
ALSDE LOGO

This site may contain links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness by us. WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THIS SITE.
Alabama Learning Exchange © 2002-2023 by Alabama State Department of Education is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Design by Adaptive Theme