States of Matter

Question 1

solid

Answer 1

state of matter that has a fixed shape and volume

Question 2

liquid

Answer 2

state of matter that has a fixed volume, but no fixed shape

Question 3

gas

Answer 3

state of matter with no fixed shape or volume

Question 4

properties

Answer 4

characteristics or features of an object or substance

Question 5

diffusion

Answer 5

the spreading of one substance through another due to the movement of their particles

Question 6

volume

Answer 6

the amount of space taken up by an object or substance

Question 7

fluid

Answer 7

a substance that flows and has no fixed shape. Gases and liquids are fluids.

Question 8

mass

Answer 8

the quantity of matter in an object (usually measured in grams or kilograms)

Question 9

melting point

Answer 9

the temperature at which a solid substance turns into a liquid (melts) or a liquid turns into a solid (freezes)

Question 10

boiling point

Answer 10

the temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas

Question 11

sublimation

Answer 11

the change in state from a solid into a gas (or from a gas into a solid) without first becoming a liquid

Question 12

precipitation

Answer 12

falling water in solid or liquid form. The type of precipitation depends mostly on the temperature in the clouds and the air around them.

Question 13

meteorologist

Answer 13

scientist who uses observation of the atmosphere to predict or explain the weather

Question 14

particle model

Answer 14

a description of the moving particles that make up all matter and how they behave. The model explains the properties of solids, liquids and gases.

Question 15

expands

Answer 15

increase in size due to the movement of particles in a substance

Question 16

contracts

Answer 16

shorten or become smaller in size

Question 17

alchemists

Answer 17

olden-day ‘chemist’ who mixed chemicals and tried to change ordinary metals into gold. Alchemists also tried to tell the future.

Question 18

investigations

Answer 18

activity aimed at finding information

Question 19

observations

Answer 19

information obtained by the use of our senses or measuring instruments

Question 20

scientists

Answer 20

people skilled in or working in the fields of science; scientists use experiments to find out about the material world around them

Question 21

elements

Answer 21

pure substance made up of only one type of atom

Question 22

atoms

Answer 22

a very small particle that makes up all things. Atoms have the same properties as the objects they make up.

Question 23

atomic number

Answer 23

number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. The atomic number determines which element an atom is.

Question 24

compounds

Answer 24

substance made up of two or more different types of atoms that have been joined (bonded) together

Question 25

bonded

Answer 25

force that holds particles of matter, such as atoms, together

Question 26

mixtures

Answer 26

a combination of substances in which each keeps its own properties

Question 27

metals

Answer 27

elements that conduct heat and electricity; shiny solids that can be made into thin wires and sheets that bend easily. Mercury is the only liquid metal.

Question 28

non-metals

Answer 28

elements that do not conduct electricity or heat. They melt and turn into gases easily and are brittle and often coloured.

Question 29

metalloids

Answer 29

elements that have the appearance of metals but not all the other properties of metals

Question 30

periodic table

Answer 30

a table listing all known elements. The elements are grouped according to their properties and in order of the number of protons in their nucleus.

Question 31

group

Answer 31

in the periodic table of elements, a single vertical column of elements whith a similar nature

Question 32

inert

Answer 32

not reactive

Question 33

noble gas

Answer 33

elements in the last column of the periodic table. They are extremely inert gases.