Temperature

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Particles Noun

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[par-ti-kuhls]

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Particles

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Minute pieces of matter, such as atoms or molecules, that are constantly in random motion and make up all substances.

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Example: This image shows that as temperature increases, particles in matter move faster and spread farther apart, changing from a solid to a liquid, then to a gas.

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Solid Noun

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[sol-id]

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Solid

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A state of matter with a definite shape and volume, where particles are tightly packed and vibrate in fixed positions.

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Example: In a solid, particles are tightly packed in a fixed, orderly arrangement and vibrate in place, corresponding to a low temperature and low energy state.

Front

Liquid Noun

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[lik-wid]

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Liquid

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A state of matter with a definite volume but no fixed shape, where particles can flow and slide past one another.

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Example: This diagram shows that in a liquid, particles have enough energy to move past one another but are still close together, unlike in a solid or gas.

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Gas Noun

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[gas]

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Gas

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A state of matter with no definite shape or volume, where particles are far apart and move freely and randomly.

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Example: Heating water in a kettle increases its temperature, causing it to boil and turn into steam, which is water in its gas state.

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Fluid Noun

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[floo-id]

Back

Fluid

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A substance, like a liquid or gas, that has no fixed shape and can flow freely under applied stress.

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Example: This diagram shows that liquids and gases are states of matter where particles can move freely, which defines them as fluids, unlike solids with fixed particles.

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Atom Noun

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[at-uhm]

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Atom

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The fundamental building block of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus and electrons, which constitutes all ordinary matter.

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Example: This diagram shows an atom, the basic building block of matter, with its central nucleus (protons and neutrons) and orbiting electrons.

Front

Molecule Noun

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[mol-uh-kyool]

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Molecule

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A group of two or more atoms chemically bonded together, representing the smallest unit of a compound.

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Example: This diagram shows a single water molecule, formed by one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms. The labels indicate its chemical composition and its polar nature.

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Potential Energy Noun

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[puh-ten-shuhl en-er-jee]

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Potential Energy

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The stored energy an object possesses due to its position, arrangement, or state, such as in chemical bonds.

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Example: This image shows a stretched rubber band, which stores elastic potential energy. This is a type of mechanical potential energy, not thermal potential energy.

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Kinetic Energy Noun

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

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Kinetic Energy

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The energy an object or particle possesses due to its motion, which increases with its speed and mass.

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Example: This image shows the conversion of potential energy (a drawn bow) to kinetic energy (a moving arrow), a concept of large-scale motion.

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Ideal Gas Noun

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[ahy-deel gas]

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Ideal Gas

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A theoretical gas model composed of randomly moving particles with no volume and no intermolecular attractive forces.

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Example: This image compares an ideal gas, where particles are far apart and don't interact, to a non-ideal gas, where particles are closer and do interact.