MOL-013 · Real gases, liquids and solids Sample material

States of matter and phase transitions

States of matter (solid, liquid, gas, plasma) and transitions between them: melting and crystallisation, evaporation and condensation, sublimation, boiling, saturated vapour and air humidity.

Estimated time: 3 h 5 activities

Learning objective

Describe the states of matter in terms of molecular motion and interaction.
Study the laws of melting, crystallisation, evaporation, condensation, sublimation and boiling.
Understand saturated vapour and the temperature dependence of its pressure.
Master the concepts of absolute and relative air humidity, the dew point and methods of measuring them.

Expected outcomes

Calculates the heat involved in phase transitions and sets up heat-balance equations.
Explains and estimates the dependence of the boiling point on external pressure.
Finds the relative and absolute humidity and the dew point.
Explains how plasma differs from other states and where it is used.

Interactive modelPhase transitions: the heating curve

Activities

Lecture
Lecture · 1 h 20 min · required
Problem solving on the topics "States of matter" and "Evaporation, boiling and relative air humidity"
Practice · 1 h 20 min · required
Determination of the relative humidity of air with an Assmann psychrometer
Laboratory · 2 h 15 min · optional
Atmospheric phenomena
Self-study · 6 h · optional
Final test
Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

  • Lecture
  • Problem solving on the topics "States of matter" and "Evaporation, boiling and relative air humidity"
  • Final test — at least 70%