A Simple and Economic Three-Dimensional Model

for the PWT Surface of Water

Juan A. Coch Frugoni, Marilene Zepka, Alvaro Rocha Figueira, and Miriam Coretti
Universidade de Rio Grande, Rio Grande R.S., Brasil

The students in our physical chemistry courses have dif-

ficulties understandine three-dimensional models when. as
is usual, they are presented as drawings. In order to facilitate
better understandine in the studv of phase equilibrium of Dure
subtances, we use aUtrulythree~di&nsion~lmodel (see%ig.
1).In the course each student builds hisher own model by the
following procedure:
1) Cut the patterns shown in Figure 2 from cardhoard.
2) FoUowinethe foldine instructions of F i..m e 2..make Unib 1(Fie.
3). 1 and'i (Fig. 4). i ( ~ i gSA,,and1
. (Fig. 5Hj. tln order to i i -
pmve the curvature of ihr surfaces, n,ll them around a pencil
before gluing.)
3) Join with glue Units 1and 2 with Unit 3.
4) Add Unit 4 to complete model.
5) Paint the different surfaces. The surfaces representing two
phases in equilibrium, for example L-V (blue and yellow, re-
spectively),should be painted with the color representing the
mixture (green).
This model is easy to construct and very economical, and it
shows clearly the conditions for existence of the phases and
the conditions for phase changes. Students have found the
model to be very instructive even though i t is not to scale.
Variations of this technique could be used t o produce other
three-dimensional models for chemistry courses.

Figure 2. The patterns uJed in the construction of lhe P W madel for water.
Observe cutting, folding, and gluing inshuctions.
I -r j
Figure 1. The cardboard model for lhe PWsurface of water. The colors of the
phases inlhis model are blue (Vand G), yellow (L), geen (Land V), red (S), mnge
(Sand L), and purple (S and V).

Flgure 3. Tha cut am3 folded Unit 1. Figure 4. Units 1 and 2 assembled. Figure 5. Unhs 3 and 4 ready for assembly.

1048 Journal of Chemical Education