Updated 5/15/2016

In Podcast #70 the Trekkers take you to Echo Lake in the Piedmont Region of Virginia to show you the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Discover how water changes from one state to another. Learn about the water cycle, and see it in action. Measure the thickness of the ice and the temperature of the snow. Watch David & Alfonso get hit in the face with snowballs. Find out why you shouldn’t walk on a frozen lake, and why you shouldn’t boil water over an open flame using an expensive pot. Come on, let’s go trekking!

Water molecules are like small magnets. The oxygen in H2O has a negative charge, and the two hydrogen atoms have a positive charge.  This design gives water molecules some amazing properties.  One property is cohesion. Cohesion means the water molecules stick together, and that’s how water bugs can walk on the surface of water without falling through.  Another property is adhesion. Adhesion means the water molecules stick to other things, like the walls of the tiny tubes in plants. Plants don’t have hearts to pump water through their branches, but because of adhesion, water pushes itself through the veins, or capillaries, without any pump!

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SOL Correlation:

K.5a The student will investigate and understand that water flows and has properties that can be observed and tested. Key concepts include a) water occurs in different phases;

2.1e The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning, logic, and the nature of science by planning and conducting investigations in which e) length, volume, mass, and temperature are measured in metric units and standard English units using the proper tools;

2.2 The student will investigate and understand that natural and artificial magnets have certain characteristics and attract specific types of metals. Key concepts include a) magnetism, iron, magnetic/nonmagnetic, poles, attract/repel; and b)important applications of magnetism.

2.3 The student will investigate and understand basic properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Key concepts include a) identification of distinguishing characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases; and c) changes in phases of matter with the addition or removal of energy.

3.9c The student will investigate and understand the water cycle and its relationship to life on Earth. Key concepts include c) the water cycle involves several processes;

5.4 The student will investigate and understand that matter is anything that has mass and takes up space; and occurs as a solid, liquid, or gas. Key concepts include a) distinguishing properties of each phase of matter; b) the effect of temperature on the phases of matter;

Piedmont Region