Experiment: E3 Title: The Study of Phase Change Duration: 2 Hours: 1 0F 5
Experiment: E3 Title: The Study of Phase Change Duration: 2 Hours: 1 0F 5
Experiment: E3 Title: The Study of Phase Change Duration: 2 Hours: 1 0F 5
EXPERIMENT : E3
TITLE : THE STUDY OF PHASE CHANGE
DURATION : 2 HOURS
PAGE : 1 0F 5
2.0 Theory
The term change of phase means the same thing as the term change of state. The change of
phase always occurs with a change of heat. However the temperature does not change. When
we heat a solid, the energy supplied is used to increase the kinetic energy of its molecules, and
thereby its temperature increases. Energy is required to melt a solid, because the cohesive
forces between molecules must be partially overcome to allow the molecules to move about.
Similarly, energy is required to vaporize a liquid, because in so doing the molecules are
separated and molecular attractive forces are overcome. But there is no temperature change
until a phase change is complete. i.e. during phase change, the energy supplied is used only to
separate the molecules ; no part of it is used to increase the kinetic energy of the molecules. So
its temperature will not rise, since kinetic energy of molecules remains the same.
The quantity of heat absorbed or released when a substance changes its physical phase at
constant temperature (e g. From solid to liquid at melting point or from liquid to gas at boiling
point) is termed as its latent heat. The quantity of heat absorbed or released when unit mass of
a substance changes its physical phase at a given temperature is called specific latent heat. The
constant temperature at which melting or boiling take place is known as the melting or boiling
point.
DJJ20063: THERMODYNAMICS
EXPERIMENT : E3
TITLE : THE STUDY OF PHASE CHANGE
DURATION : 2 HOURS
PAGE : 2 0F 5
The process, phase transition is governed by Newton's law of cooling, which states that, “the
rate of change of temperature of an object is proportional to the difference between its own
temperature and the temperature of its surroundings."
By studying the phase change of a substance from solid to liquid, one can determine the melting
point, latent heat of fusion etc of the substance.
In order to understand more about the theory of phase change, consider a sample cooling curve
for a substance with a melting point of 45°C. The flat portion of the graph represents the phase
change from liquid to solid at the constant melting temperature 45°C. The two curved portions
represent cooling of the liquid plus the tube (left) and cooling of the solid plus the tube (right).
These cool according to Newton’s law of cooling, where T is the temperature of the sample, T 0 is
room temperature, and k is a positive constant.
The heat loss rate of the liquid plus the boiling tube is likely to be the same as the heat loss rate
of the solid plus the tube for a given temperature difference (T-T 0)
DJJ20063: THERMODYNAMICS
EXPERIMENT : E3
TITLE : THE STUDY OF PHASE CHANGE
DURATION : 2 HOURS
PAGE : 3 0F 5
3.0 Apparatus/Equipment
3.2 Computer
4.0 Safety Precautions
4.1 Make sure the student follow the laboratory or workshop safety regulators.
4.2 Experiment must be conduct by lecturers or experience lab assistance
5.0 Procedures
1. From the combo box, select Substance from the desired sample. Choose Naphthalene /
ice
2. The mass of the substance can be varied by using the slider Mass of the substance (10
gram).
3. The temperature of the surrounding can be selected by using the slider Surrounding
Temperature (0°C, 32°C-assuming room temperature & 90°C).
4. The experiment can be started by clicking on the ‘Start’ the Experiment button.
6. The temperature of the sample can be noted from the digital thermometer given in the
simulator.
7. Also time can be noted from the stop-watch given in the simulator.
9. There is an option Show Result. By clicking it, we can obtain the melting point and the
transition time of the sample.
DJJ20063: THERMODYNAMICS
EXPERIMENT : E3
TITLE : THE STUDY OF PHASE CHANGE
DURATION : 2 HOURS
PAGE : 4 0F 5
6.0 Results/Data
The cooling curve for the phase change of the sample is studied.
Transition time of the sample = …………. min
Melting point of the sample = ........................ °C
7.0 Discussion
7.1 What is the melting point and the transition time of the substance?
7.3 Heat exchanges are generally governed by thermodynamic laws. Explain all
thermodynamics’ law that influence in phase change.
EXPERIMENT : E3
TITLE : THE STUDY OF PHASE CHANGE
DURATION : 2 HOURS
PAGE : 5 0F 5
Distinguish a conclusion from the result shown and from your observation.
9.0 References
Yunus A. Cengel, Michael A. Boles (1998) Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach. McGraw
Hill
Easteop, T. D & McConkey. (2006), Applied Thermodynamics For Engineering Technologist, 5th
Edition, Pearson & Prentice Hall, Singapore