States of Matter Flashcards
solid
state of matter that has a fixed shape and volume
liquid
state of matter that has a fixed volume, but no fixed shape
gas
state of matter with no fixed shape or volume
properties
characteristics or features of an object or substance
diffusion
the spreading of one substance through another due to the movement of their particles
mass
the quantity of matter in an object (usually measured in grams or kilograms)
volume
the amount of space taken up by an object or substance
fluid
a substance that flows and has no fixed shape. Gases and liquids are fluids.
particle model
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.
expands
increase in size due to the movement of particles in a substance
contracts
shorten or become smaller in size
alchemists
olden-day ‘chemist’ who mixed chemicals and tried to change ordinary metals into gold. Alchemists also tried to tell the future.
investigations
activity aimed at finding information
observations
information obtained by the use of our senses or measuring instruments
scientists
people skilled in or working in the fields of science; scientists use experiments to find out about the material world around them
