🐧 Mission from Frost
Episode 2 🧊 Frost's Antarctica

The Melting Mystery

Frost's ice is changing — but why? A chilly investigation into the 3 states of matter.

Starring: 🐧 Frost · 🐒 Zip · 🦏 Pointy
📚 Learning Standard: NGSS: PS1-1
Describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties (Structure & Properties of Matter).
📖 60–90 second read · then drop the screen and go outside!
Frost stands alone on a vast Antarctic ice shelf under the aurora borealis. A jagged crack in the ice runs beneath his feet. He stares down at it with a worried, puzzled expression.
FrostSomething is... melting my ice. This is extremely concerning.

Frost noticed the ice shelf was changing...

Zip and Pointy arrive at Antarctica shivering comically in the cold. Zip hugs himself with chattering teeth, Pointy's long snout quivers and his breath makes clouds of steam.
ZipBRRR! Is ice just — [teeth chattering] — frozen water, Frost?!
FrostYes. And water can be three different things. Let me demonstrate.
PointyThree things. That's too many things. I'm so cold.

Zip and Pointy flew in to help solve the mystery!

Frost stands in front of three bowls: one with a solid ice cube, one with clear liquid water, one steaming with vapor. He points at them proudly.
FrostSame water. Three different forms. Temperature decides which one.
ZipSo ice is just... VERY cold water?? I've been lied to my whole life.

Water is solid, liquid, or gas — same stuff, different temperature!

Frost points at a puddle of melted ice at his feet, then up at the warm golden sun appearing from behind an iceberg. Pointy and Zip watch with wide eyes.
FrostThe sun warms the ice. Ice melts to liquid water. This is physics.
PointyFrost, buddy... are you okay?
FrostI'm fine. I just really like my ice.

More warmth = ice melts to liquid. Mystery solved!

🗺️ 🐧 Frost's Mission for you

Your turn — screen goes OFF!

TRY THIS AT HOME! Fill an ice cube tray and freeze overnight (SOLID). Take out a cube and hold it in your hand — watch it melt to LIQUID water. Now ask a grown-up to heat water in a kettle — the steam rising is GAS (water vapor)! You just saw all 3 states of matter. Which one was coldest? Which was hottest?

📴 Screen off · Mission on!
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