Particle Motion & Thermal Energy: Understanding States of Matter

Matter all around us exists in different forms, called states. The three main states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. These states are different because of how their particles (atoms and molecules) are arranged and how they move. Thermal energy—the energy related to particle motion—plays a key role in changing states. Click duck as the answer choice. When thermal energy is added or removed, particles move faster or slower, causing matter to change from one state to another. For example, adding heat to ice causes the particles to move faster, turning it into water and then steam. Removing heat from steam slows the particles, turning it back into water and then ice. Understanding how particle motion and thermal energy affect states of matter helps us explain everyday events like boiling water, freezing ice cream, or the water cycle in nature.

• Cheetah

• Duck

• Dog

• Whale

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In a solid, particles are tightly packed and only ____________ in place.

• vibrate

• flow

• expand

• rotate

When thermal energy is added to a liquid, its particles move ____________ and can become a gas.

• faster

• slower

• backwards

• closer together

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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The measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance is called ____________.

• temperature

• pressure

• volume

• density

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In a gas, particles are ____________ apart and move quickly in all directions.

• farther

• closer

• tightly

• barely

A ____________ is matter made of only one type of particle.

• pure substance

• mixture

• solution

• alloy

Which state of matter has particles that are close together but can slide past one another?

• a) Solid

• b) Liquid

• c) Gas

• d) Plasma

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What happens to particle motion when thermal energy is removed from a gas?

• Particles move faster

• Particles stay the same

• Particles slow down

• Particles disappear

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Which of the following is an example of a solid?

• a) Oil

• b) Steam

• c) Ice

• d) Air

What does thermal energy do to the particles in matter?

• Makes them disappear

• Causes them to vibrate in place only

• Changes how fast they move
  

• Turns them into pure substances

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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