States of Matter

Front

Kinetic Energy Noun

---

[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

Back

Kinetic Energy

---

The energy that an object possesses due to its motion, dependent on its mass and velocity.

---

Example: This diagram shows how a ball held at a height has potential energy, which transforms into kinetic energy (the energy of motion) as it falls.

Front

Kinetic Theory of Matter Noun

---

[ki-net-ik thee-uh-ree ov mat-er]

Back

Kinetic Theory of Matter

---

A scientific model describing all matter as being composed of tiny particles that are in constant, random motion.

---

Example: This diagram shows how adding heat increases particle motion and spacing, causing matter to change state from solid, to liquid, to gas.

Front

Elastic Collision Noun

---

[i-las-tik kuh-lizh-uhn]

Back

Elastic Collision

---

A collision between two or more bodies in which the total kinetic energy of the system remains unchanged.

---

Example: A moving ball (A) hits a still ball (B), transferring all its motion. This is an elastic collision, modeling how gas particles collide without losing energy.

Front

Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP) Noun

---

[stan-derd tem-per-uh-cher and presh-er]

Back

Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)

---

A standard set of conditions (0°C and 100 kPa) used for experimental measurements and comparisons of gas properties.

---

Example: This image shows the standard values for temperature (0°C) and pressure (1 atm) that define STP, a reference point for comparing the properties of gases.

Front

Gas Pressure Noun

---

[gas presh-er]

Back

Gas Pressure

---

The force exerted by a gas per unit area on the walls of its container, caused by particle collisions.

---

Example: This diagram shows that compressing gas particles into a smaller volume increases their collisions with the container, resulting in higher pressure.

Front

Pascal (Pa) Noun

---

[pas-kal]

Back

Pascal (Pa)

---

The SI unit of pressure, defined as one newton of force applied over an area of one square meter.

---

Example: This diagram shows that atmospheric pressure, measured in kilopascals (kPa), is highest at sea level and decreases with altitude because there are fewer air particles.

Front

Atmosphere (atm) Noun

---

[at-muh-sfeer]

Back

Atmosphere (atm)

---

A unit of pressure equal to the average air pressure at sea level, equivalent to 101.3 kPa.

---

Example: This diagram shows that Earth's atmosphere, a key example of the 'gas' state of matter, is a mixture of mostly nitrogen and oxygen.

Front

Translational Motion Noun

---

[trans-ley-shuh-nl moh-shuhn]

Back

Translational Motion

---

The movement of a body in which all its parts move the same distance in the same direction.

---

Example: This diagram shows a cart moving in a straight line from point A to point B, which is a clear example of translational motion.

Front

Rotational Motion Noun

---

[roh-tey-shuh-nl moh-shuhn]

Back

Rotational Motion

---

The movement of a body in a circular path around a central point or axis of rotation.

---

Example: Steam, a gas, pushes against the blades of a turbine, forcing the central shaft to spin in a rotational motion.

Front

Vibrational Motion Noun

---

[vahy-brey-shuh-nl moh-shuhn]

Back

Vibrational Motion

---

The rapid back-and-forth movement of particles around fixed positions in a substance, such as in a solid.

---

Example: This image shows an object moving back and forth around a fixed 'equilibrium position,' demonstrating vibrational motion, similar to how particles vibrate in a solid.