What are the three states of matter? Flashcards
List the three states matter can exist in.
Solid, liquid and gas
Name something that can exist in all three states.
Water. It can exist in:
- solid state as ice
- liquid state as water
- gaseous state as water vapour
What are the properties of a solid?
A solid has a definite shape and volume. It cannot be compressed.
Give some examples of solids / matter in a solid state.
Book, chair, pen, stone
Does the shape of a solid change?
No. The shape of a solid does not change, unless something is done to it or a force is applied to it.
Why does a solid have a definite volume?
Because it cannot be compressed, i.e. squeezed to occupy less space.
What are liquids?
Liquids are matter.
Give some examples of liquids.
Milk, mercury, water, etc.
What are the properties of a liquid?
A liquid has a definite volume but no definite shape.
Why does the shape of a liquid change when the liquid flows to take the shape of the container that holds it?
Because liquid has no definite shape.
Can a liquid be compressed?
No. Liquid cannot be compressed because it has a definite volume.
Why does a liquid spread all over the floor when you spill it?
Because liquid has no definite shape.
How is the volume of a liquid usually measured in?
Millilitres (ml) or litres (l)
What instruments can be used to find the volume of a liquid?
Measuring cylinders, syringes or any containers wiith markings (scale).
Does the volume of a liquid remain the same when it is poured from one container into another?
Yes.
Can a liquid flow? How does a liquid flow?
Yes, a liquid can flow. It flows from a higher place to a lower place.
What are the steps to reading the volume of a liquid?
- Place the container with markings that contains the liquid on a flat surface.
- Position the eye at the same level as the liquid level (known as the meniscus)
- For most liquids, the meniscus curves downwards. Record the value of the marking that is nearest the bottom of the meniscus.
What are gases?
Gases are matter.
Give some examples of gases.
Carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen
Why can gas flow?
Because the particles in a gas are not arranged in a definite pattern and are far apart from each other.
What are the properties of a gas?
Gas has no definite shape and also, no definite volume.
Why can the shape of a gas change to take the shape of the container that holds it?
Because gas has no definite shape.
Why can a gas be compressed?
Because it has no definite volume.
How can we show that a gas has no definite shape?
By filling balloons of different shapes with the same volume of air.
How can we show that a gas has no definite volume?
By applying a force to dent a table tennis ball. the ball takes up less space and the air inside it is compressed.
What happens when air in a syringe is pressed by pushing in the plunger?
The plunger can be pushed in easily. The volume of air becomes smaller. A gas can be compressed and it has no definite volume.
What happens when the liquid in a syringe is pressed by pushing in the plunger?
The plunger cannot be pushed in at all. The volume of the liquid does not change. A liquid cannot be compressed.
How can matter change its state?
When it gains or loses heat.
See Page 69 of PSLE textbook.
Why is ice matter?
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.
Why is water matter?
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.
