Particle movement activity

Particle movement is one of the first topics discussed in Chemistry. The movement of particles is foundation to a deeper understanding of individual atoms, bonding, and the properties of bonds. One great ay to observe particle movement is by observing the movement of color through different temperatures.

Materials: 4 beakers, 2 food coloring, Ice or hot plate

Instructions:

1. Place ice in two beakers
2. Place warm water into two beakers
3. Drop 3 drops of 1st colored dye into a cold beaker and into a warm beaker
4. Drop 3 drops of 2nd colored dye into a cold beaker and into a warm beaker
5. Place one cold beaker on top of another
6. Place one warm beaker atop another
7. Write what you observe!

Instructions (option 2):

1. Place ice water in one beaker
2. Warm water in a second beaker
3. Put 3 drops of food coloring in each beaker
4. Write down what you observe

There are different questions to present from just observing ice water and warm water. Particle rate, density of liquids, entropy and enthalpy. Students can adjust temperatures and add other particles, such as salt to see how that impacts temperature.