Kinetic Molecular Theory & States of Matter

A model that explains the behavior of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) based on the motion and interactions of its particles.

The state of matter where particles are tightly packed, vibrate in place, and have fixed volume and shape.

The state of matter where particles are closely packed but move freely, have fixed volume, and take the shape of their container.

The state of matter where particles are widely spaced, move freely and rapidly, and take the shape and volume of their container.

The forces that attract particles to each other, influencing the state of matter.

The average kinetic energy of particles in a substance, measured by temperature.

The amount of space a substance occupies. Solids and liquids have fixed volume while gases take the volume of their container.

The process of a solid changing into a liquid, caused by an increase in temperature. Think of ice melting in the sun.

The process of a liquid changing into a gas, caused by an increase in temperature or decrease in pressure. Think of water boiling on a stove.

The process of a gas changing into a liquid, caused by a decrease in temperature or increase in pressure. Think of water droplets forming on a cold glass.

The process where a solid changes directly into a gas, skipping the liquid phase. Think of dry ice disappearing into thin air.

The process of a gas changing directly into a solid, skipping the liquid phase. Think of frost forming on a cold window.

The force that holds the surface molecules of a liquid together, creating a 'skin' effect.

The amount of energy needed to stretch or enlarge the surface area of a liquid.

The ability of a liquid to resist flowing; a measure of a fluid's internal friction.

The upward force exerted by a liquid against a solid object when the object is partially or fully immersed in the liquid.

The phenomenon where a liquid rises (or falls) in a narrow tube because of the adhesive forces between the liquid and the tube.

The amount of heat energy required to vaporize a liquid at its boiling point.

The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the pressure surrounding the liquid, causing the liquid to change into a gas.

Forces that occur between molecules, affecting a substance's physical properties (boiling point, viscosity, etc.)

The tendency of molecules to stick together, creating cohesive forces.

The tendency of molecules to stick to other substances, creating adhesive forces.

Attractive forces between polar molecules that arise due to the interaction between the positive end of one dipole and the negative end of another dipole.

A special type of dipole-dipole force that occurs between a hydrogen atom bonded to a small, highly electronegative atom like nitrogen, fluorine, or oxygen.

Collectively known as the van der Waals forces, these intermolecular forces occur between molecules or particles in a pure substance.

The weakest type of van der Waals force, occurring due to temporary fluctuations in electron distribution, creating temporary dipoles in nonpolar molecules.

The attractive force between an ion and a polar molecule.

A temporary dipole induced in a nonpolar molecule by the presence of a polar molecule.

The curved shape of the surface of a liquid in a cylindrical container. The meniscus forms due to the balance between cohesive and adhesive forces.

The meniscus is convex when the cohesive forces between liquid molecules are stronger than the adhesive forces between the liquid and the container. The liquid molecules are more attracted to each other than to the container.

The meniscus is concave when the adhesive forces between the liquid and the container are stronger than the cohesive forces between the liquid molecules. The liquid molecules are more attracted to the container than to each other.

The viscosity of a liquid depends on the strength of the intermolecular forces between its molecules. Liquids with stronger intermolecular forces are more viscous.

The process by which plants absorb water from the soil through their roots. The water rises through the plant's vascular tissue due to capillary action.

The phenomenon where water can rise in a thin tube or between grains of a rock. This is caused by the attraction between water molecules and the surface of the tube or rock.