The states of matter

The states of matter

Matter exist as Solid, Liquid and Gas

What is matter?

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. All matter is composed of particles and can exist in three states: Solid, Liquid and Gas.

Properties of a Solid

• Definite volume

• Definite shape

• Particles are closely packed together

• Very small movement between particles-vibrate (small kinetic energy)

• strong attraction between particles

Properties of a liquid

• Definite volume

• Takes the shape of the container

• There are small spaces between the particles

• Particles move slowly- medium kinetic energy

• Weak attraction between the particles

Properties of a Gas

• Volume- expand to fill container

• Shape-takes the shape of the container

• Particles are randomly arranged- large spaces in between

• Attraction between particles are extremely weak

• Particles move rapidly- Large kinetic energy

Changing State

A substance can exist in any of the three states depending of conditions of temperature and pressure.

Heating and cooling curve

• if a solid is heated and changes state to a liquid and then gas, a heating curve is obtained when the temperature is taken.

• if the temperature of a gas is taken as it is cooled and changes state to a liquid and then solid, a cooling curve is obtained

Challenge

• What is melting point?

• What id boiling point?

• Imagine you are a particle in steam. Describe fully what happens to you as the steam is cooled and changes to water and then to ice

Matter is made up of particles

The following will provide evidence that matter is made up of particles

Crystals have a regular shape

all crystals of the same substance have straight edges, flat surfaces and the same shape, e.g. salt and sugar

Crystals dissolve

When crystals are placed in water they dissolve. Diffusion is the movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration until they are evenly distributed.

Gases Diffuse

When two gases are put together they mix very quickly.

Brownian motion

when a beam of light is shone through dust or smoke, the specks of dust or smoke can be seen moving in an irregular way.

Osmosis

Osmosis is a process of movement of solvents through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration