States of Matter

States of Matter

by Elizabeth Molnar

​SOLIDS

• ​Particles have low thermal/kinetic energy.

• ​Particles vibrate slowly in place.

• ​Because of how slowly the particles move, gravity causes the particles to pull closely together.

• ​Definite shape

• ​Definite volume

​LIQUIDS

• ​Particles have medium thermal/kinetic energy.

• ​Particles slide over and around each other.

• There is a middling amount of attraction between the particles. They are close to each other, but not packed tightly.

• ​Indefinite shape (takes the shape of it's container)

• ​Definite volume

Melting

• ​Process of phase change - Solid to Liquid

• Particles gain thermal/kinetic energy.

• ​Particles move farther away from each other and move faster.

• The force of gravitation attraction between particles lessens.

Evaporation

• ​Process of phase change - Liquid to Gas.

• Particles gain thermal/kinetic energy.

• ​Particles move farther away from each other and move faster.

• Particles bounce off of each other vigorously.​

• The force of gravitation attraction between particles lessens.

Condensation

• ​Process of phase change - Gas to Liquid.

• Particles lose thermal/kinetic energy.

• ​Particles slow down and move closer together.

• The force of gravitation attraction between particles grows stronger.

Freezing / Solidification

• ​Process of phase change - Liquid to Solid.

• Particles lose thermal/kinetic energy.

• ​Particles slow down and move closer together.

• The force of gravitation attraction between particles grows stronger.