Heating Ice
Heating Ice is a free interactive simulation for GCSE Physics (Edexcel IGCSE 4PH1) in which students heat a substance and track its temperature over time, observing the flat regions during melting and boiling where latent heat is absorbed. This is a required practical for Edexcel IGCSE 4PH1. No login required — includes a worksheet and self-marking quiz.
Aim: To investigate how the temperature of ice changes as it is heated through melting and boiling.
00:00
Time (mm:ss)
Temperature
−20.0 °C
Time (s)
0
Current state
Solid (ice)
Simulation speed
Results Table
Record readings every 30 s (or 60 s on 5–10× speed). You need at least 10 points to draw a good graph.
| # | Time (mm:ss) | Time (s) | Temperature (°C) | State |
|---|
- The apparatus starts with a 100 g sample of ice at −20 °C — check the thermometer reads this before you begin.
- Set the speed to 2× or 5× to make the experiment run at a reasonable pace.
- Press Start Heating, then record a reading every 30 seconds of simulation time by pressing Record Reading.
- Collect at least 10 data points — make sure you capture readings during all phases of heating.
- When the experiment ends, draw a Temperature–Time graph on graph paper. Put time (s) on the x-axis and temperature (°C) on the y-axis.
- Draw a smooth best-fit curve through your points.
- Identify and label the two flat sections on your graph. What is happening physically at each flat section?
- Read off the melting point and boiling point of water from your graph.
- Why does temperature stay constant during a change of state, even though the Bunsen burner is still supplying energy?