Microscale Family 2013
Phases of water – the water cycle
The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water between oceans, air, clouds, soils, plants and glaciers. This cycle driven by the sun is completed by rivers and groundwater
flow.
During its circulation water occurs in all its phases.
In the following experiment, you will illustrate and explain the processes involved in this cycle as a model in a reduced scale.
Experiment
1. Fill-up of some chambers of the blister pack with water and place it in the freezer.
2. When the water is frozen, push out the pellets and place them into the ampoule.
3. Place the ampoule on the can lid over the tea light and heat it with the candle burner.
4. Cover the ampoule with the glass. Wait until no more changes are seen.
more see below
5. Lift off the glass, hold it diagonally across the lid and observe the inner walls of the glass.
Experiment 1. Fill-up of some chambers of the blister pack with water and place it in the freezer.
2. When the water is frozen, push out the pellets and place them into the ampoule.
3. Place the ampoule on the can lid over the tea light and heat it with the candle burner.
4. Cover the ampoule with the glass. Wait until no more changes are seen.
5. Lift off the glass, hold it diagonally across the lid and observe the inner walls of the glass.
Tasks
1. Write down your observations and explain them.
2. Which
transitions between the aggregate states take place during the experiment?
What do you call the transitions in technical terms?
3. What is the difference between evaporation and boiling?
4. Explain why the experiments represent a model of the water cycle.
5. What happens when you leave ice over a longer period in the freezer?
Hint: consider the inside walls of the freezer chest.
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First published: 2009
Last modification: 15.05.2014