Explore the Heating Curve Experiment
Add heat to ice and watch temperature versus time, including the flat melting and boiling plateaus. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Heating Curve Experiment with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Heating Curve Experiment?
Add heat to ice and watch temperature versus time, including the flat melting and boiling plateaus. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Heating curves guide cooking, steam power, metal processing and climate science. Latent heat is why steam burns are so dangerous.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
The temperature rises while heat warms a single phase (q = mcΔT).
During melting and boiling the temperature stays flat while heat breaks attractions (q = mL).
Boiling needs much more energy than melting because particles must fully separate.
Heat 50 g of ice to steam.
Increase the mass and see the plateaus grow.
Change the heater power.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Chemistry Labs learners
Students preparing for practical exams and teachers who want a virtual lab.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Heating Curve Experiment on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Increase the mass and see the plateaus grow. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why does temperature stay flat while ice melts?
The added energy goes into breaking the bonds holding the solid together rather than speeding up particles, so temperature holds until all the ice has melted.
Why is the boiling plateau longer than the melting one?
The latent heat of vaporisation of water (2260 J/g) is about seven times bigger than the latent heat of fusion (334 J/g).
Is the Heating Curve Experiment free to use?
Yes. The Heating Curve Experiment is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Chemistry Labs group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Heating Curve Experiment work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Heating Curve Experiment takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 9 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Heating Curve Experiment?
1. In the Heating Curve Experiment, use the controls to change Substance, Melting point, Boiling point, Liquid specific heat, Heat of fusion, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Heating Curve Experiment, pick an option such as Water, Ethanol, Acetone, Mercury to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Heating Curve Experiment, press "Pause", "Restart" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Heat 50 g of ice to steam. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Heating Curve Experiment responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: The temperature rises while heat warms a single phase (q = mcΔT).
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Try the Heating Curve Experiment now
Add heat to ice and watch temperature versus time, including the flat melting and boiling. Free to use.
Try it free