Particle Theory and States of Matter

Everything on Earth made of matter that has mass and takes up space. This matter exists in three states: solid, liquid, and gas.

Tiny particles that make up all matter.

The spaces between particles can be large or small depending on the state of matter. This space allows for movement.

Particles are always moving, even in a solid. This movement depends on the state of matter. Solids vibrate, liquids slide past each other, and gases move freely.

Particles attract each other. This attraction is stronger in solids, weaker in liquids, and very weak in gases. This attraction helps hold matter together.

When you heat a substance, its particles move faster and spread farther apart, causing it to expand. When you cool a substance, its particles slow down and come closer together.

Substances that can flow. This includes liquids and gases.

Fluids can hold other materials, like cells holding organelles or liquids holding solid particles for various purposes.

The force that causes liquid molecules to stick together, forming a tight surface layer.

The force that causes liquid molecules to stick to a surface, like a container.

The curved surface of a liquid in a container, caused by adhesion.

Liquids flow faster in the middle of tubes or pipes because of friction against the sides.

Detergents lower the surface tension of water, allowing it to spread and penetrate better.

The measure of how quickly a fluid moves, typically expressed as a volume per unit of time (e.g., L/s).

The force of attraction between particles of the same substance. Strong cohesion makes fluids thicker and flow slower.

The force that attracts particles of different substances to each other. Adhesion makes fluids cling to surfaces.

A smooth, orderly flow of a fluid where particles move in straight lines. It's like a calm river.

An irregular, chaotic flow of a fluid where particles mix and swirl. It's like a turbulent river.

A measure of how easily particles in a fluid can slide past each other. Higher viscosity means thicker fluids.

The force that pulls the surface particles of a liquid together, creating a 'skin' on the liquid.

How strongly the particles in a fluid are attracted to each other. Stronger attraction means slower flow.

Larger or irregularly shaped particles clog and slow down the flow.

Higher temperatures reduce viscosity, making fluids flow faster.

Thin fluids like water flow faster than thick fluids like syrup due to their viscosity.

Larger openings allow fluids to flow faster due to less restriction.

Fluids flow faster over smooth surfaces as they experience less friction.

A benefit of laminar flow is that fluids move more quickly with less resistance because of the ordered movement. This is good for efficient transport in pipes and hoses.

A disadvantage of laminar flow is that it doesn’t mix fluids much, which can lead to a lack of nutrients in rivers.