1. To the Boiling Point
What happens to the temperature of water when it is boiling? Follow the links (below) to carry out an experiment in latent heat and find out. Please be careful and take necessary safety precautions when performing this experiment.

Consider This Before Answering the Questions
This is an experiment in latent heat (see the text for the exact definition).

• Go to the Think Quest web site at http://library.thinkquest.org/2690/exper/exp7.htm and click on the "Hyper Chemistry On the Web" link to do this experiment
• Be sure that you have an appropriate thermometer-a good candy thermometer from the baking section in the grocery store should work well, but check to ensure that it has a clip so you can clip it onto the side of the pot (and then you won't have to hold your hand over a pot of boiling water).
• Follow the instructions provided and do beware of the caution to stop heating the pot before the water has boiled out.
• Record your observations as indicated.
• Did your observations bear out what would be expected from the discussion? Prepare your own graph to show the results that you obtained.

After You Answer the Questions
As a variation on this theme and to make it more interesting, you might want to look at the temperature changes of a substance that goes through all three phases of matter, which would mean that you start by using a tray or two of ice cubes instead of three-quarters of a pot of water.

2. Thermodynamic Equilibrium
Perform a series of thermodynamic experiments to give you some hands-on experience. How can you use this information in your daily life? What information can transfer to daily living? How could you use this information to design a product to sell to the consuming public? What would that product be and how would it work?

Consider This Before Answering the Questions
This is a series of seven experiments (well, it's really six plus a game at the end).

• Visit http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Thermodynamics/index.html and first read the "Important notes."
• Also, you may have to download the applet program-if so, don't worry, it's free and allows you to run lots of fun programs on your computer.
• After reading the notes (and paying attention to them to save yourself some frustration), read the experimental instructions, then go to the first experiment at http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Thermodynamics/therm1a.html
• Proceed through all six experiments, writing down your responses to each of the questions posed. Once you've completed all six (or seven) of the experiments, think about how you can use this information in your daily life, and what information can be transferred to daily living.

After You Answer the Questions
You may decide to do the above over a period of a few days, so bookmark the page so you can return to it easily