A scientist is interested in learning more about water’s phase change properties. The scientist decides to perform an experiment to determine the amount of time it would take to melt ice compared to the amount of time it would take for water to boil
Explain how the scientist should collect and organize the data. Identify any measurement devices that should be used and the number of trials that should be performed.
To collect and organize the data in this experiment, the scientist should perform a series of trials for both processes: melting ice and boiling water. The following steps should be followed:
1. Initialization: Start by setting up a controlled and insulated environment for the experiments, such as a laboratory with stable temperature and pressure conditions.
2. Measurement devices: For melting ice, a stopwatch or timer is required to measure the time it takes for the ice to completely melt. For boiling water, a thermometer should be used to measure the temperature of the water and determine when it reaches the boiling point.
3. Number of trials: It is important to repeat the experiments multiple times to ensure accuracy and account for any possible variations or anomalies. The number of trials can vary depending on the desired level of confidence, but a common practice is to perform 3-5 trials for each process.
4. Procedure: For melting ice, begin with a known mass of ice, for example, 100 grams, and place it in a container with known thermal conductivity, like a glass beaker. Start the timer when the ice is introduced to the environment and stop it once all the ice has melted completely.
For boiling water, start with a known volume of water, for example, 100 ml, in a container with known thermal conductivity and heat it until it reaches the boiling point. Measure and record the time it takes to achieve boiling.
5. Data organization: Keep a record of the time it took for each trial, ensuring data is properly labeled and organized. This can be done in a data table or spreadsheet.
By following these steps and collecting the data through multiple trials, the scientist can have a better understanding of the time it takes for ice to melt and water to boil, allowing a more comprehensive analysis of water's phase change properties.