As sixth graders tackled the understanding of atoms, the smallest unit of an element, they learned that computer simulations can help them to understand things that are too small to manipulate. The PHET, State of Matter Simulation, helped the students draw the conclusion that as heat is added to matter, the atoms increase in kinetic energy and move away from each other in space. When heat is taken away, the atoms slow down and converge closer together.
The simulation introduced another measurement scale used by physical scientists to measure energy. Kinetic energy is measured with Kelvin units. This scale can show absolute 0 which is when the atoms have no kinetic energy.
Also, while studying the characteristics of matter, students learned to apply the measurement formulas they have learned in math. Matter can be measured in mass, volume, and density.
The formulas applied easily to regular shapes. Students had to use displacement of water to find the volume of irregular shapes. Students were able to record and analyze results using graphs generated from Excel software.
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