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Science lesson plan · 12th grade (Year 13 in England) · 30 minutes

Gas laws: pressure, volume and temperature

States of matter

CCSS NGSS.HS-PS3-2CCSS NGSS.HS-PS1-3England: GCSE Physics: Particle model of matter (pressure in gases)England: A level Physics: Ideal gases (extension)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Gas laws: pressure, volume and temperature.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: The particle model

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Ice, water and a kettle (teacher demo), Particle diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The particle model). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which state is described: particles far apart moving quickly in all directions? (solid / liquid / gas) → gasPrompt: How close are the particles, and how do they move?
  2. What happens to particles when a substance is heated? (They stop moving / They melt / They get bigger / They move faster) → They move fasterPrompt: Heating gives particles more energy.
  3. The particle model: which statement is NOT true? (Particles in a gas are much further apart than in a liquid. / There is empty space between gas particles. / Particles in a solid do not move at all. / All matter is made of tiny particles.) → Particles in a solid do not move at all.Prompt: Do particles themselves change size?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show an ice cube melting and a kettle steaming and ask what is the same and what is different.
  • Share the objective: Gas laws: pressure, volume and temperature. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: A gas at 200 kPa occupies 24 cm³. At constant temperature it is compressed to 12 cm³. What is its new pressure, in kPa?
  • Step 1: p₂ = 200 × 24 ÷ 12 = 400
  • Step 2: So the answer is: 400 kPa
  • Answer: 400 kPa
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. A gas at 200 kPa occupies 36 cm³. At constant temperature it is compressed to 12 cm³. What is its new pressure, in kPa? → 600 kPaPrompt: At constant temperature, p₁V₁ = p₂V₂.
  2. A gas occupies 40 cm³ at 27 °C. At constant pressure it is heated to 177 °C. What is its new volume, in cm³? (Use kelvin: K = °C + 273.) → 60 cm³Prompt: Convert both temperatures to kelvin first.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. A gas at 150 kPa occupies 48 cm³. At constant temperature it is compressed to 24 cm³. What is its new pressure, in kPa? → 300 kPaPrompt: At constant temperature, p₁V₁ = p₂V₂.
  2. A gas occupies 40 cm³ at 27 °C. At constant pressure it is heated to 177 °C. What is its new volume, in cm³? (Use kelvin: K = °C + 273.) → 60 cm³Prompt: Convert both temperatures to kelvin first.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: The particle model.
  • Use concrete materials: ice, water and a kettle (teacher demo).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-12.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Gas laws: pressure, volume and temperature

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    A gas at 200 kPa occupies 60 cm³. At constant temperature it is compressed to 40 cm³. What is its new pressure, in kPa?

    AnswerkPa

  2. Question 2

    A gas occupies 50 cm³ at −23 °C. At constant pressure it is heated to 102 °C. What is its new volume, in cm³? (Use kelvin: K = °C + 273.)

    Answercm³

  3. Question 3

    A sealed can contains gas at 100 kPa and 300 K. It is heated to 360 K. What is the new pressure, in kPa? Give 1 decimal place.

    AnswerkPa

  4. Question 4

    A gas at 120 kPa occupies 24 cm³. At constant temperature it is compressed to 6 cm³. What is its new pressure, in kPa?

    AnswerkPa

  5. Question 5

    A gas occupies 20 cm³ at −23 °C. At constant pressure it is heated to 102 °C. What is its new volume, in cm³? (Use kelvin: K = °C + 273.)

    Answercm³

  6. Question 6

    A sealed can contains gas at 200 kPa and 280 K. It is heated to 320 K. What is the new pressure, in kPa? Give 1 decimal place.

    AnswerkPa

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Answer key: Gas laws: pressure, volume and temperature

  1. 1. 300 kPa

  2. 2. 75 cm³

  3. 3. 120 kPa

  4. 4. 480 kPa

  5. 5. 30 cm³

  6. 6. 228.6 kPa