Students in Mrs. Cratty's Principles of Chemistry classes recently explored how pressure and temperature affect the motion of particles and the states of matter through an engaging, hands-on dry ice lab. Using solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), students observed sublimation—the process by which a solid changes directly into a gas—while investigating how temperature influences molecular motion. The activity gave students a vivid look at abstract concepts, helping them connect classroom learning to real-world chemical behavior.
As they worked with the dry ice, students made predictions, recorded observations, and discussed how changes in temperature and pressure impact the arrangement and energy of particles. By watching fog form, bubbles expand, and gases escape from sealed containers, they gained firsthand insight into kinetic molecular theory and phase changes. The lab not only deepened their understanding of chemistry but also sparked curiosity and excitement for scientific discovery—an essential part of learning at Knoch High School.
