As an undergraduate Chemistry, Physics, or Earth Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to teach phase diagrams and phase equilibria.
Phase diagrams can be used to understand the stability of different phases of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) under changing temperature and pressure. This lesson plan will help students learn about phase equilibria through the example of the phase diagram of water. Students will learn about the phases of water on Earth, Mars, and Venus and will discuss the role of the water cycle in making the climate of planet Earth habitable.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Chemistry, Physics, or Earth Sciences.
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
Teacher-submitted lesson plan, contributed by Dr. Upasana Issar, Assistant Professor, Kirori Mal College and Dr. Richa Arora, Assistant Professor, Shivaji College, (University of Delhi), India.
Want to know more about how to contribute? Contact us.
| Grade Level | Undergraduate |
| Discipline | Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Phase Diagrams, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Greenhouse Gases, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Atmospheric Physics, Greenhouse Effect, Phase Equilibria, Phase Diagrams of Water, Triple and Critical Points in a Phase Diagram, Degrees of Freedom, Feedback Mechanisms, Vapour Pressure, Runaway Greenhouse Effect |
| Climate Topic | Climate and the Atmosphere, Greenhouse Effect, Climate and the Hydrosphere, Long-term Feedback Mechanisms |
| Location | Global |
| Language(s) | English |
| Access | Online |
| Approximate Time Required | 45 – 60 mins |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Video micro-lecture (~12 min)
Play the video micro-lecture “Phase Diagrams” by Khan Academy.
Use the tool to first describe the phase diagram of water, and phase transformations of water at melting and boiling points, at various atmospheric pressures. Then, use the video to describe the phase diagram for carbon dioxide. Further, use the tool to explain the triple and critical points in a phase diagram and discuss the phase transitions at these points. Finally, introduce the term “supercritical fluid” and briefly describe its properties.
Reading (10 min)
With the help of the reading in the chapter “12.4. Phase Diagrams” (by LibreTextsTM).
Describe a typical phase diagram. Describe the different regions of a phase diagram where the various phases of a single substance exist in a stable state and the points at which phase transitions take place. Discuss the triple and critical points in a phase diagram and the stability of phases at these points. Further, examine the phase diagrams of water and carbon dioxide, and discuss specific temperature and pressure conditions at which the different phases of these substances are stable/unstable. Use example 12.4.1 and exercise 12.4.2 included in the text to discuss phase transitions of water. Use this reading to also describe supercritical fluids, their properties and their commercial applications as solvents.
Video micro-lecture (~7 min) and associated reading (15 min)
Play the video micro-lecture “Water Vapor Feedback” by Prof. David Archer, the University of Chicago to explain the stable phases of water at various temperatures on Earth. Introduce the concept of water vapor feedback and explain the greenhouse effect of water vapor on Earth’s atmosphere by using the phase diagram of water. Further, compare the effect of water vapor feedback on the atmospheres of Earth, Mars, and Venus. Discuss how the water cycle ensures that Earth has a climate that is more suitable to support life. Explain the runaway greenhouse effect of water vapor on Venus that makes it uninhabitable.
Use the associated reading material “Chapter 7: Feedbacks” from Prof. David Archer’s book, ‘Global warming- Understanding the Forecast’ to discuss feedback mechanisms, water vapor feedback, and the runaway greenhouse effect on Venus in greater detail (pg. 127-131). The phase diagram of water (Figure 7.2) is on pg. 144 of this reading.
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Classroom/Laboratory Activity (15 min) | An interactive simulation from PhET, University of Colorado, to explore the phase transformations of water under changing temperature and pressure conditions.
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Video (~18 min) | A video micro-lecture from Coursera that describes the current and past climatic conditions on Mars.
This can be accessed here |
| 1 | Video micro-lecture, “Phase Diagrams” | Presented by Sal Khan for Khan Academy. |
| 2 | Reading, “12.4. Phase Diagrams” | Chapter provided by LibreTexts. |
| 3 | a. Video micro-lecture, b. Reading | “Water Vapor Feedbacks” Chapter 7, “Feedbacks”, pg. 129-131, pg. 144 from the book “Global Warming- Understanding the Forecast”, 2 Ed. David Archer, the University of Chicago. |
| 4 | Additional Resources | a. Simulation, “States of Matter: Basics” PhET simulation by University of Colorado, Boulder. b. Video lecture, “1.15: Was early Mars warmer and wetter?” by Coursera. |
| Grade Level | Undergraduate |
| Discipline | Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Phase Equilibria, Phase Diagrams of Water, Triple and Critical Points in a Phase Diagram, Degrees of Freedom, Feedback Mechanisms, Vapor Pressure, Runaway Greenhouse Effect |
| Climate Topic | Climate and the Atmosphere, The Greenhouse Effect |
| Location | Global |
| Language(s) | English |
| Access | Online |
| Approximate Time Required | 45 – 60 mins |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Video micro-lecture (~12 min)
Play the video micro-lecture “Phase Diagrams” by Khan Academy.
Use the tool to first describe the phase diagram of water, and phase transformations of water at melting and boiling points, at various
atmospheric pressures. Then, use the video to describe the phase diagram for carbon dioxide. Further, use the tool to explain the triple and
critical points in a phase diagram and discuss the phase transitions at these points. Finally, introduce the term “supercritical fluid” and briefly
describe its properties.
Reading (10 min)
With the help of the reading in the chapter “12.4. Phase Diagrams” (by LibreTextsTM).
Describe a typical phase diagram. Describe the different regions of a phase diagram where the various phases of a single substance exist in a stable state and the points at which phase transitions take place. Discuss the triple and critical points in a phase diagram and the stability of phases at these points. Further, examine the phase diagrams of water and carbon dioxide, and discuss specific temperature and pressure conditions at which the different phases of these substances are stable/unstable. Use example 12.4.1 and exercise 12.4.2 included in the text to discuss phase transitions of water. Use this reading to also describe supercritical fluids, their
properties and their commercial applications as solvents.
Video micro-lecture (~7 min) and associated reading (15 min)
Play the video micro-lecture “Water Vapor Feedback” by Prof. David Archer, the University of Chicago to explain the stable phases of water at various temperatures on Earth. Introduce the concept of water vapor feedback and explain the greenhouse effect of water vapor on Earth’s atmosphere by using the phase diagram of water. Further, compare the effect of water vapor feedback on the atmospheres of Earth, Mars, and Venus. Discuss how the water cycle ensures that Earth has a climate that is more suitable to support life. Explain the runaway greenhouse effect of water vapor on Venus that makes it uninhabitable.
Use the associated reading material “Chapter 7: Feedbacks” from Prof. David Archer’s book, ‘Global warming- Understanding the Forecast’ to discuss feedback mechanisms, water vapor feedback, and the runaway greenhouse effect on Venus in greater detail (pg. 127-131). The phase diagram of water (Figure 7.2) is on pg. 144 of this reading.
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Classroom/Laboratory Activity | An interactive simulation from PhET,
University of Colorado, to explore the phase transformations of water
and research through variousunder changing temperature and
pressure conditions.
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Video (~18 min) | A video micro-lecture from Coursera that describes the current and past climatic conditions on Mars.
This can be accessed here. |
| 1 | Video micro-lecture, “Phase Diagrams” | Presented by Sal Khan for Khan Academy. |
| 2 | Reading, “12.4. Phase Diagrams” | Chapter provided by LibreTexts. |
| 3 | a. Video micro-lecture, b. Reading | “Water Vapor Feedbacks” Chapter 7, “Feedbacks”, pg. 129-131, pg. 144 from the book “Global Warming- Understanding the Forecast”, 2 Ed. David Archer, the University of Chicago. |
| 4 | Additional Resources | a. Simulation, “States of Matter: Basics” PhET simulation by University of Colorado, Boulder. b. Video lecture, “1.15: Was early Mars warmer and wetter?” by Coursera. |
