States of matter Flashcards
What are the 3 states of matter?
Gas, Liquid, Solid
Describe how the particles are arranged in a solid.
Tightly packed together with little space in between them which makes them hard to compress. This causes solids to have a fixed shape. The particles also vibrate in fixed position.
Describe how the particles are arranged in a liquid.
Packed closely together with not much space in between them which make them hard to compress. Liquids take the shape of any container they are in because the particles move around instead of being in a fixed position.
Describe how the particles are arranged in a gas.
Particles are widely spaced out which means they are easy to compress. Gases can spread out and take the shape of any container because the particles move quickly and randomly.
How can you change the state of a substance?
By putting in or taking out energy.
How can you change the state of a solid to a liquid?
By heating the solid until it starts melting, this takes place at the melting point. The energy from heating breaks the forces of attraction between the particles in a solid. This causes the particles to be able to move around and become liquid.
Why do some substances have higher melting points than others?
Because they have stronger forces of attraction between the particles which require more energy to overcome hence higher melting point.
How can you change the state of a liquid to a solid?
By freezing it. This is when we cool a liquid back to its melting point. When we freeze a substance, the forces of attraction between particles reform.
How can you change the state of a liquid to a gas?
By boiling it which takes place at the boiling point.
How can you change the state of a gas to a liquid?
By condensing it, this takes place at the boiling point. When a substance condenses, the forces of attraction between particles reform.
