What are the three states of matter?

Question 1

List the three states matter can exist in.

Answer 1

Solid, liquid and gas

Question 2

Name something that can exist in all three states.

Answer 2

Water. It can exist in:

1. solid state as ice
2. liquid state as water
3. gaseous state as water vapour

Question 3

What are the properties of a solid?

Answer 3

A solid has a definite shape and volume. It cannot be compressed.

Question 4

Give some examples of solids / matter in a solid state.

Answer 4

Book, chair, pen, stone

Question 5

Does the shape of a solid change?

Answer 5

No. The shape of a solid does not change, unless something is done to it or a force is applied to it.

Question 6

Why does a solid have a definite volume?

Answer 6

Because it cannot be compressed, i.e. squeezed to occupy less space.

Question 7

What are liquids?

Answer 7

Liquids are matter.

Question 8

Give some examples of liquids.

Answer 8

Milk, mercury, water, etc.

Question 9

What are the properties of a liquid?

Answer 9

A liquid has a definite volume but no definite shape.

Question 10

Why does the shape of a liquid change when the liquid flows to take the shape of the container that holds it?

Answer 10

Because liquid has no definite shape.

Question 11

Can a liquid be compressed?

Answer 11

No. Liquid cannot be compressed because it has a definite volume.

Question 12

Why does a liquid spread all over the floor when you spill it?

Answer 12

Because liquid has no definite shape.

Question 13

How is the volume of a liquid usually measured in?

Answer 13

Millilitres (ml) or litres (l)

Question 14

What instruments can be used to find the volume of a liquid?

Answer 14

Measuring cylinders, syringes or any containers wiith markings (scale).

Question 15

Does the volume of a liquid remain the same when it is poured from one container into another?

Answer 15

Yes.

Question 16

Can a liquid flow? How does a liquid flow?

Answer 16

Yes, a liquid can flow. It flows from a higher place to a lower place.

Question 17

What are the steps to reading the volume of a liquid?

Answer 17

1. Place the container with markings that contains the liquid on a flat surface.
2. Position the eye at the same level as the liquid level (known as the meniscus)
3. For most liquids, the meniscus curves downwards. Record the value of the marking that is nearest the bottom of the meniscus.

Question 18

What are gases?

Answer 18

Gases are matter.

Question 19

Give some examples of gases.

Answer 19

Carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen

Question 20

Why can gas flow?

Answer 20

Because the particles in a gas are not arranged in a definite pattern and are far apart from each other.

Question 21

What are the properties of a gas?

Answer 21

Gas has no definite shape and also, no definite volume.

Question 22

Why can the shape of a gas change to take the shape of the container that holds it?

Answer 22

Because gas has no definite shape.

Question 23

Why can a gas be compressed?

Answer 23

Because it has no definite volume.

Question 24

How can we show that a gas has no definite shape?

Answer 24

By filling balloons of different shapes with the same volume of air.

Question 25

How can we show that a gas has no definite volume?

Answer 25

By applying a force to dent a table tennis ball. the ball takes up less space and the air inside it is compressed.

Question 26

What happens when air in a syringe is pressed by pushing in the plunger?

Answer 26

The plunger can be pushed in easily. The volume of air becomes smaller. A gas can be compressed and it has no definite volume.

Question 27

What happens when the liquid in a syringe is pressed by pushing in the plunger?

Answer 27

The plunger cannot be pushed in at all. The volume of the liquid does not change. A liquid cannot be compressed.

Question 28

How can matter change its state?

Answer 28

When it gains or loses heat.

See Page 69 of PSLE textbook.

Question 29

Why is ice matter?

Answer 29

Because it has a definite shape and a definite volume. It’s shape does not change unless something is done to it or a force is applied to it. It has a definite volume. Hence, it cannot be compressed, i.e. squeezed to occupy less space.

Question 30

Why is water matter?

Answer 30

Because it has no definite shape, i.e. the shape of water can change when water flows to take the shape of the container that holds it. It has a definite volume and as such, cannot be compressed.