States of Matter Flashcards
What are the 3 states of matter?
Solid, Liquid and Gas
Which state (solid, liquid, gas) you get depends on how strong the forces of attraction are between the particles of the material.
How strong the particles are depends on 3 things. What are they?
The material, the temperature, and the pressure.
Describe solids.
In solids, there are strong forces of attraction between particles, which hold them close together in fixed positions to form a very regular lattice arrangement.
The particles don’t move from their positions, so all solids keep a definite shape and volume, and don’t flow like liquids.
The particles vibrate about their positions - the hotter the solid becomes, the more they vibrate (causing solids to expand slightly when heated).
Describe liquids.
In liquids, there is a weak force of attraction between the particles. They’re randomly arranged and free to move past each other, but they tend to stick closely together.
Liquids have a definite volume but don’t keep a definite shape, and will flow to fill the bottom of a container.
The particles are constantly moving with random motion. The hotter the liquid gets, the faster they move. This causes liquids to expand slightly when heated.
Describe gases.
In gases, the force of attraction between the particles is very weak - they’re free to move and are far apart. The particles in gases travel in straight lines.
Gases don’t keep a definite shape or volume and will always fill any container.
The particles move constantly with random motion. The hotter the gas gets, the faster they move. Gases either expand when heated, or their pressure increases.
What is the process of melting?
When a solid is heated, its particles gain more energy.
This makes the particles vibrate more, which weakens the forces that hold the solid together. This makes the solid expand.
At a certain temperature, the particles have enough energy to break free from their positions. This is called melting and the solid turns into a liquid.
Explain the process of evaporating.
When a liquid is heated, the particles gain more energy.
This energy makes the particles move faster, which weakens and breaks the bonds holding the liquid together.
At a certain temperature, the particles have enough energy to break their bonds. This is called evaporating when a liquid turns into a gas.
How do you turn a liquid into a solid?
Freezing
How do you turn a gas into a liquid?
Condensing
How do you turn a solid into a gas?
Subliming
