Fundamental Ideas in Chemistry

Question 1

Why do liquids and gases take the shape of their container?

Answer 1

Particles can move around

Question 2

Why do solids not take the shape of their container?

Answer 2

Particles cannot move around

Question 3

Why can gases be squashed easily?

Answer 3

There are big spaces between the particles which can be pushed closer together

Question 4

Why can’t solids and liquids be squashed easily?

Answer 4

Particles are close so cannot be pushed closer together

Question 5

What does a sharp melting point signify?

Answer 5

The substance is pure

Question 6

What does an unsharp melting point signify?

Answer 6

It is a mixture of substances

Question 7

Solid to gas

Answer 7

Sublimation

Question 8

Gas to solid

Answer 8

Deposition

Question 9

Gas to liquid

Answer 9

Condensation

Question 10

Liquid to gas (below the boiling point)

Answer 10

Evaporation

Question 11

Why does the temperature of ethanol not change despite it being heated up?

Answer 11

Energy is used to overcome forces between particles rather than to heat it up