Science lesson plan · 12th grade (Year 13 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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.
- Which state is described: particles touching but able to slide past each other? (solid / liquid / gas) → liquidPrompt: How close are the particles, and how do they move?
- Why does the smell of perfume spread across a room? (Air particles stand still / Perfume particles diffuse, moving randomly among the air particles / Perfume particles are attracted to noses / The perfume pushes the air away) → Perfume particles diffuse, moving randomly among the air particlesPrompt: Particles in gases move in all directions.
- The particle model: which statement is NOT true? (Particles in a solid still vibrate. / Particles in a solid do not move at all. / Particles in a gas are much further apart than in a liquid. / All matter is made of tiny particles.) → Particles in a solid do not move at all.Prompt: Do particles themselves change size?
Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- A gas at 120 kPa occupies 48 cm³. At constant temperature it is compressed to 12 cm³. What is its new pressure, in kPa? → 480 kPaPrompt: At constant temperature, p₁V₁ = p₂V₂.
- A gas occupies 50 cm³ at 7 °C. At constant pressure it is heated to 287 °C. What is its new volume, in cm³? (Use kelvin: K = °C + 273.) → 100 cm³Prompt: Convert both temperatures to kelvin first.
You do: independent practice · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- A sealed can contains gas at 100 kPa and 300 K. It is heated to 340 K. What is the new pressure, in kPa? Give 1 decimal place. → 113.3 kPaPrompt: At constant volume, p ÷ T stays the same.
- A gas occupies 40 cm³ at 7 °C. At constant pressure it is heated to 287 °C. What is its new volume, in cm³? (Use kelvin: K = °C + 273.) → 80 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