Lesson 6
Lesson 6
Aim: To investigate the equilibrium between phases of a system and the phase diagrams of water and
carbon dioxide.
Learning Outcomes :
Underlying Principles
Differentiation
Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity. The pop-up
answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their responses. Worksheet
questions include questions that require recall, understanding and application of the new concepts
learned.
1. Phases of a system
1.1 a. A phase is any part of a system, which is homogenous and separated from other parts of the
system by a distinct boundary.
b. A closed system is one in which there is no loss or gain of materials to or from the surroundings.
c. Equilibrium is the state at which the properties of a system do not change with time.
1.2 a. Melting point is the temperature at which a solid is in equilibrium with its liquid at a given
pressure.
b. Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid is in equilibrium with its vapour at a given
pressure.
2. Phase diagrams
2.1 a.
c. Solid state.
f. Curve OH
2.2 a.
b. The pressure in the container must be higher than 5 atm and the temperature must be higher
o o
than -57 C but lower than 31 C.
2.3
2.4 a. i. PR represents the conditions of temperature and pressure where solid and liquid water
can exist together at equilibrium. This line represents the variation of the melting point of
water with pressure.
iii. It means that the melting point of water decreases with increasing pressure. When water
changes from liquid state to solid state, its volume increases.
c. Water would exist as a solid. These conditions of temperature and pressure are found in the
area representing the solid phase in the phase diagram of water.