Physical Science: States of Matter

Study Notes

Solid: particles are closely packed and have a fixed shape and volume
Liquid: particles are close together but are free to move past each other, takes the shape of its container
Gas: particles are widely spaced and are free to move in any direction, has neither a fixed shape nor volume
Plasma: high-energy state of matter where atoms are ionized, often found in stars and lightning

Mass: a measure of the amount of matter in an object, remains constant regardless of its state
Volume: the amount of space occupied by an object or substance, can change depending on its state
Density: mass per unit volume, can be used to identify substances
Buoyancy: the ability of an object to float or sink in a fluid, dependent on its density relative to the fluid

Sublimation: the process by which a substance changes directly from a solid to a gas, without going through the liquid phase
Examples: dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), iodine crystals, and ammonium chloride
Factors affecting sublimation:
- Temperature: increases sublimation rate
- Pressure: decreases sublimation rate
- Surface area: increases sublimation rate
- Concentration: increases sublimation rate

Particles in a solid are closely packed and have a fixed shape and volume.
Particles in a liquid are close together but are free to move past each other, taking the shape of its container.
Particles in a gas are widely spaced and are free to move in any direction, with neither a fixed shape nor volume.
Plasma is a high-energy state of matter where atoms are ionized, often found in stars and lightning.

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, remaining constant regardless of its state.
Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object or substance, capable of changing depending on its state.
Density is mass per unit volume, used to identify substances.
Buoyancy is the ability of an object to float or sink in a fluid, dependent on its density relative to the fluid.

Sublimation is the process by which a substance changes directly from a solid to a gas, without going through the liquid phase.
Examples of sublimation include dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), iodine crystals, and ammonium chloride.
Factors affecting sublimation rate include:
- Temperature, which increases the sublimation rate
- Pressure, which decreases the sublimation rate
- Surface area, which increases the sublimation rate
- Concentration, which increases the sublimation rate