Simulation Description: Particle model of matter, diffusion and compression
🧪 Particle Model Simulation — Description
An interactive canvas simulation covering the AQA/KS3 particle model. Three tabs:
- States — side-by-side solid, liquid and gas panels. Tap to select and see the correct particle arrangement for each state, with bond lines in the solid and continuous random motion in the liquid
- Heating — a single set of particles in a hex lattice that transform as you drag the thermometer: vibrating faster as a solid, breaking free into liquid flow at the melting point, then spreading rapidly as gas at the boiling point. Fire grows under the container as temperature rises
- Properties — drag a piston to compress gas particles into liquid then solid, or open a barrier to watch two gases diffuse and mix
📋 Class Activity — “Heat It and See”
Level: KS3 / GCSE Year 9–11 | Time: 20 minutes
Task:
- Open the Heating tab. Drag the thermometer slowly upward. Pause at three points — in the solid zone, at melting, and at boiling — and sketch what you observe each time
- In their books, students answer: What happens to the particles as heat is added? Why do the bonds disappear? Why do particles spread out when boiling?
- Switch to States — students match their sketches to the correct panel
- Switch to Properties — compress the gas fully and record the state labels as they change (Gas → Liquid → Solid). Ask: Is this heating or cooling? What does pressure have to do with state changes?
Exit question: Why does the temperature stay the same during melting even though heat is still being added? (latent heat)