Thermal Energy and Matter

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total kinetic energy of particles in a substance, which determines its temperature and phase.

Front

What are the three states of matter?

Back

The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas.

Front

What happens to particles in a solid?

Back

In a solid, particles are closely packed together and vibrate in place, maintaining a fixed shape.

Front

What happens to particles in a liquid?

Back

In a liquid, particles are close together but can move past one another, allowing the liquid to take the shape of its container.

Front

What happens to particles in a gas?

Back

In a gas, particles are far apart and move freely, filling the entire volume of their container.

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

Evaporation is the process by which a liquid turns into a gas, usually occurring at the surface of the liquid.

Front

What is condensation?

Back

Condensation is the process by which a gas turns into a liquid, often when it cools down.

Front

What is melting?

Back

Melting is the phase change from solid to liquid, occurring when a solid absorbs heat energy.

Front

What is freezing?

Back

Freezing is the phase change from liquid to solid, occurring when a liquid loses heat energy.

Front

What is sublimation?

Back

Sublimation is the phase change from solid directly to gas without passing through the liquid state.