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Schemes of Work
QCA

Science at key stages 1 and 2    (Year 5)

Unit 5D: Changing state
Section 7: Condensation

QCA

Objectives

Children should learn:
  • that condensation is when a gas turns to a liquid
  • that condensation is the reverse of evaporation
  • to make careful observations and draw conclusions explaining these in terms of scientific knowledge and understanding

Activities

Outcomes

Children:
  • Demonstrate an example of condensation eg steam from a kettle hitting a cold surface and discuss with children what happens to water vapour when it cools down. Discuss with children where in their homes they see water collecting on surfaces eg in the kitchen, bathroom. Introduce the words 'condense' and 'condensation'. Demonstrate what happens when ice cubes are placed in the centre of cling film covering a container of hot/warm water. Ask children to feel the cling film to see how warm it is in different places and to observe the size of the droplets. Ask children to illustrate in diagrams and annotate to explain what happens.
  • identify the process which takes place when water vapour turns to a liquid as condensation
  • explain why condensation occurs in a number of situations eg on kitchen windows on a cold day, on cold taps in the bathroom
  • explain why condensation isn't so frequently seen eg on taps and windows on a warm day

Points to note

The droplets formed on the underside of the cling film are much larger where it is coldest. These drops eventually drop back into the container.

SAFETY - Take care with boiling water. Teachers should take care they don't scald themselves when holding the cold surface in the steam eg by wearing oven gloves.

SAFETY - Try out to make sure the cling film is only warm.


Sections in this unit

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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
1. Introduction
2. Water evaporation
3. Evaporation of other liquids
4. Planning to investigate evaporation
5. Interpreting results on evaporation
6. Drying and evaporation
7. Condensation
8. Finding condensation
9. Boiling
10. Observing melting
11. Reversible changes of state
12. The water cycle