Changes in Matter

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Physical Change Noun

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[fiz-i-kuhl cheynj]

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Physical Change

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A change that alters a substance's appearance or properties without changing its fundamental chemical composition.

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Example: Ice cubes melting into liquid water is a physical change because the substance (water) does not change its chemical identity, only its state.

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Phase Change Noun

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[feyz cheynj]

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Phase Change

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A transition of matter from one state, such as solid, liquid, or gas, to another.

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Example: Adding energy causes solid ice to melt into liquid water, and boiling liquid water to evaporate into a gas, showing the process of phase change.

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State of Matter Noun

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[steyt ov mat-er]

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State of Matter

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The distinct physical form in which matter can exist, primarily as a solid, liquid, or gas.

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Example: This diagram shows how particles are arranged in solids, liquids, and gases, representing the three main states of matter.

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Condensation Noun

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[kon-den-sey-shuhn]

Back

Condensation

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The phase change in which a substance in a gaseous state changes to a liquid state.

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Example: Warm, moist air (gas) cools when it touches a cold surface, causing the water vapor to turn into liquid water droplets.

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Solidification Noun

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[suh-lid-uh-fi-key-shuhn]

Back

Solidification

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The phase change in which a substance in a liquid state changes to a solid state, typically by cooling.

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Example: As a liquid cools, its free-moving particles begin to form organized crystal structures, growing and linking together until they form a rigid solid.

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Vaporization Noun

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[vey-per-uh-zey-shuhn]

Back

Vaporization

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The phase change in which a substance in a liquid state changes to a gaseous state.

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Example: This illustration shows water from a large body of water turning into vapor and rising, which is the process of evaporation, a type of vaporization.

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Melting Noun

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[mel-ting]

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Melting

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The phase change in which a substance in a solid state changes to a liquid state when heat is applied.

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Example: This diagram shows that melting is the process where a substance, like an ice cube, changes from a solid state to a liquid state.

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Melting Point Noun

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[mel-ting poynt]

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Melting Point

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The specific temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid state at a given pressure.

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Example: This image shows a solid substance being heated to a specific temperature, 153°C, which represents its melting point—the temperature at which it changes into a liquid.

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Boiling Point Noun

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[boi-ling poynt]

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Boiling Point

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The specific temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gaseous state at a given pressure.

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Example: This image shows water changing from a liquid to a gas (steam) when it reaches its boiling point, which is 100°C (212°F).

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Intensive Physical Property Noun

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[in-ten-siv fiz-i-kuhl prop-er-tee]

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Intensive Physical Property

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A physical property of a substance that does not depend on the amount of matter present.

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Example: This image shows examples of intensive properties like boiling point and color, which do not change regardless of the amount of a substance.