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Changes of state - Teacher Notes.docx

The complete notes with the teacher's notes and every model answer in full. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.

AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER

Changes of state

Particle model of matter · Lesson 2 of 6

Teacher copy - includes the notes for whoever is teaching from it.

Warm-up

Answer each one, then check.

1. What is the change from solid to liquid called?

Melting

2. What is the change from gas to liquid called?

Condensing

3. What is the unit of mass?

Kilogram

4. What is freezing?

Liquid to solid

5. Give an example of a chemical change.

Burning wood

Learning Objectives

1. Name each change of state.

2. Explain that mass is conserved in a change of state.

3. Explain that changes of state are physical changes and are reversible.

4. Draw and interpret particle diagrams for solids, liquids and gases.

Changes Of State

Changes of state are physical changes: the material recovers its original properties if the change is reversed. Mass is conserved.

The particles are the same before and after, so the mass is the same. Only the arrangement and energy of the particles change.

Six Changes of State

Heating goes one way; cooling reverses it.

A diagram of melting, freezing, boiling, condensing and sublimation between solid, liquid and gas.

The Changes

Learn the names.

Change

From

To

Energy

Melting

Solid

Liquid

Energy taken in

Freezing

Liquid

Solid

Energy given out

Boiling or evaporating

Liquid

Gas

Energy taken in

Condensing

Gas

Liquid

Energy given out

Sublimation

Solid

Gas

Energy taken in

Mass in a Change of State

A 200 g ice cube melts to form water. What is the mass of the water? Explain.

 

1. Number of particles

The same particles are present as liquid water

2. Mass

Unchanged, because no particles are lost

Answer: 200 g: mass is conserved.

Physical or Chemical?

Explain why melting ice is a physical change but burning wood is a chemical change.

 

1. Melting ice

The water is the same substance, and it freezes back to ice with the same properties

2. Burning wood

New substances are made and the wood cannot be recovered

Answer: Physical changes are reversible and the material recovers its original properties.

Particle Explanation

Say what the particles do.

▸ Melting. Particles gain energy and break free from their fixed positions.

▸ Boiling. Particles gain enough energy to overcome the attractions and move far apart.

▸ Condensing and freezing. Particles lose energy and get closer.

Key Terms

Melting

Solid to liquid.

Freezing

Liquid to solid.

Boiling

Liquid to gas throughout the liquid.

Evaporating

Liquid to gas at the surface.

Condensing

Gas to liquid.

Sublimation

Solid straight to gas.

Your Task: Name the Change

8 minutes

Name each change: (a) water becomes steam; (b) steam becomes water on a cold window; (c) a puddle freezes; (d) dry ice becomes carbon dioxide gas without becoming liquid.

1. Name the start and end state.

2. Choose the change.

A good answer shows: (a) Boiling (or evaporating). (b) Condensing. (c) Freezing. (d) Sublimation.

Note: Ask learners to say if energy is taken in or given out.

Can I...?

☐ Name all the changes of state.

☐ Say whether energy is taken in or given out.

☐ Explain that mass is conserved.

☐ Explain physical changes.

☐ Draw solid, liquid, gas particles.

☐ Explain melting with particles.

☐ Distinguish physical and chemical.

☐ Give an example of sublimation.

Summary

✓ Melting, freezing, boiling, condensing, sublimation.

✓ Mass is conserved.

✓ Physical changes are reversible.

✓ Particles' energy changes but the particles stay the same.

 

EXAM FOCUS

Name the change of state when a liquid becomes a solid. (1 mark)

Freezing.

Exam Practice: Changes of state

Answer all questions. Use the mark allocation as a guide to how much to write. · 14 minutes

▸ Question 1 · 3 marks · Complete. Name the change of state when (a) a solid changes to a liquid (b) a gas changes to a liquid (c) a solid changes to a gas without becoming a…

▸ Question 2 · 2 marks · Explain. A 200 g ice cube melts. State the mass of the water and explain your answer.

▸ Question 3 · 2 marks · Explain. Explain the difference between a physical change and a chemical change.

▸ Question 4 · 3 marks · Describe. Describe what happens to the arrangement and movement of the particles when a solid melts.

▸ Question 5 · 3 marks · Explain. A student heats water until it boils. The water changes to steam. Explain, in terms of particles, why the steam takes up much more space…

Question 1 · 3 marks · Complete

“Name the change of state when (a) a solid changes to a liquid (b) a gas changes to a liquid (c) a solid changes to a gas without becoming a liquid.”

HOW TO ANSWER IT Command word: Complete. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.

Question 1 · mark scheme

3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.

▸ Melting. 1 mark

▸ Condensing. 1 mark

▸ Sublimation. 1 mark

▸ Model answer. (a) melting (b) condensing (c) sublimation

Question 2 · 2 marks · Explain

“A 200 g ice cube melts. State the mass of the water and explain your answer.”

HOW TO ANSWER IT Command word: Explain. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.

Question 2 · mark scheme

2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.

▸ 200 g. 1 mark

▸ Mass conserved or the same number of particles. 1 mark

▸ Model answer. 200 g. Mass is conserved because the particles are the same; only their arrangement has changed.

Question 3 · 2 marks · Explain

“Explain the difference between a physical change and a chemical change.”

HOW TO ANSWER IT Command word: Explain. Worth 2 marks, so plan before writing.

Question 3 · mark scheme

2 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.

▸ Physical: reversible with original properties. 1 mark

▸ Chemical: new substances. 1 mark

▸ Model answer. In a physical change the material can recover its original properties if the change is reversed. In a chemical change new substances are made and this cannot easily be reversed.

Question 4 · 3 marks · Describe

“Describe what happens to the arrangement and movement of the particles when a solid melts.”

HOW TO ANSWER IT Command word: Describe. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.

Question 4 · mark scheme

3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.

▸ Solid: fixed regular positions, vibrating. 1 mark

▸ Gain energy. 1 mark

▸ Liquid: still close but move around each other. 1 mark

▸ Model answer. In a solid the particles are in fixed positions and vibrate. As the solid melts the particles gain energy, break away from fixed positions and can move around each other while staying close.

Question 5 · 3 marks · Explain

“A student heats water until it boils. The water changes to steam. Explain, in terms of particles, why the steam takes up much more space than the water.”

HOW TO ANSWER IT Command word: Explain. Worth 3 marks, so plan before writing.

Question 5 · mark scheme

3 marks available. Award a mark for each point made.

▸ Particles far apart in gas. 1 mark

▸ Close together in liquid. 1 mark

▸ Same mass, greater volume. 1 mark

▸ Model answer. In the steam the particles are far apart, but in the liquid they are close together. The same particles occupy a much larger volume, although the mass has not changed.