Let’s work through this step by step.
We are given a
Phase Change Diagram (temperature vs. time) and a table of three substances with their melting and boiling points.
The question (23) asks:
> Which of these three substances was likely used in this phase change experiment?
---
Step 1: Understand what the graph shows
The graph plots
Temperature (°C) on the y-axis and
Time (minutes) on the x-axis.
There are flat parts (plateaus) where temperature doesn’t rise even though heat is being added — those are
phase changes:
- First plateau: from about minute 5 to minute 9 →
melting (solid to liquid)
- Second plateau: from about minute 14 to minute 18 →
boiling (liquid to gas)
During plateaus, the substance is changing phase, so temperature stays constant at the
melting point or
boiling point.
---
Step 2: Read the temperatures from the graph
Look at the first plateau (melting):
- It starts around minute 5 and ends around minute 9.
- The temperature during this plateau is
70°C → that’s the
melting point.
Now look at the second plateau (boiling):
- Starts around minute 14, ends around minute 18.
- Temperature is
140°C → that’s the
boiling point.
So, the substance in the experiment has:
- Melting point =
70°C
- Boiling point =
140°C
---
Step 3: Compare with the table
Here’s the table:
| Substance | Melting point | Boiling point |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|
| Bolognium | 20 °C | 100 °C |
| Unobtainium | 40 °C | 140 °C |
| Foosium | 70 °C | 140 °C |
Only
Foosium matches both:
- Melting point = 70°C
✔
- Boiling point = 140°C
✔
---
Final Answer:
Foosium
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of phase change diagram worksheet.