States of Matter

How does thermal energy affect matter?

Answer explanation

Thermal energy increases the kinetic energy of particles in matter, causing them to move faster. This can lead to changes in state (solid to liquid, liquid to gas) and affects properties like temperature and pressure.

What makes solids, liquids, and gases different?

Answer explanation

Solids have fixed shapes and tightly packed particles, liquids take the shape of their container with loosely packed particles, and gases fill their container with widely spaced particles. This difference in particle arrangement defines their states.

What happens at the particle level when matter changes states?

Answer explanation

When matter changes states, such as from solid to liquid, the particles gain or lose energy. In solids, particles are closely packed and vibrate in place. In liquids, they move more freely, and in gases, they are far apart and move rapidly.

What is the relationship between volume, temperature, and pressure? They are connected through the gas laws.

Answer explanation

Volume, temperature, and pressure are related through the gas laws, such as Boyle's Law and Charles's Law, which describe how changes in one affect the others in a gas system.

What state of matter is cooking oil? How do you know?

Answer explanation

Cooking oil is a liquid, which is a state of matter. We know this because it flows and takes the shape of its container, characteristics typical of liquids.

What state of matter is ice? How do you know?

Answer explanation

Ice is a solid state of matter. We know this because it has a definite shape and volume, and its particles are closely packed together, vibrating in place, which is characteristic of solids.

Did any of the states of matter change volume? If so, which one(s)?

• Yes, gas (air) changed volume when the plunger was pushed in.

• Solids and liquids did not change volume.

Answer explanation

Yes, gas (air) changed volume when the plunger was pushed in because gases are compressible. Solids and liquids, however, maintain a constant volume under normal conditions.

Did any of the states of matter change shape? If so, which one(s)?

• Liquids changed shape to fit the syringe but not volume.

• Solids and gases didn’t change shape (gases always fill the container they’re in).

Answer explanation

Liquids are the only state of matter that changed shape in this scenario, as they adapt to the shape of the syringe while maintaining their volume. Solids retain their shape, and gases fill their container.

Based on your results for the volume of air, what might you conclude about the shape of air in the syringe? Explain.

Answer explanation

The volume of air in the syringe suggests that air takes the shape of its container. This indicates that air is not a fixed shape but expands to fill the available space, confirming its gaseous nature.

Modeling Air Particles in the Syringe: Before Pushing the Plunger: Describe how particles are spread out in the syringe.

Answer explanation

Before pushing the plunger, air particles in the syringe are spread out and occupy the available space. They move freely and are relatively far apart, resulting in low pressure inside the syringe.