States of Matter Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How do you define solids, liquids, and gases?

They are defined by whether or not they hold their shape and volume.

What defines a solid?

Has a definite shape and a definite volume.

Why do solids have a definite shape and a definite volume?

Because the particles that make up a solid are packed very closely together.

Are the particles in a solid completely motionless?

False Signup and view all the answers

How do the particles in a solid move?

They vibrate, which means they move back and forth slightly. Signup and view all the answers

What type of solid's particles form a regular repeating pattern?

Crystals. Signup and view all the answers

What type of solid's particles do not form a regular pattern?

Amorphous. Signup and view all the answers

What type of solid is salt?

Crystalline solid. Signup and view all the answers

What type of solid is rubber?

Amorphous solid. Signup and view all the answers

What type of solid melts at a specific temperature?

Crystalline solid. Signup and view all the answers

What type of solid becomes softer or changes to another substance when heated?

Amorphous solid. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a liquid?

Has a definite volume, but no definite shape of its own. Signup and view all the answers

When a short fat cup has 10 ounces of milk, and the milk is poured into a tall glass, the volume increases. True or false? Why?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why don't liquids have a definite shape?

Because the particles of a liquid are free to move, they have no definite shape. Signup and view all the answers

What property of particles makes liquids flow?

The freely moving particles allow a liquid to flow from place to place. Signup and view all the answers

A substance that flows is called a?

Fluid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic property of liquids due to the inward pull among the molecules that brings the molecules on the surface closer together?

Surface tension. Signup and view all the answers

What property of water allows a water strider to 'walk' on the calm surface of a pond?

Surface tension. Signup and view all the answers

What property of a liquid describes its resistance to flowing?

Viscosity. Signup and view all the answers

What does a liquid's viscosity depend on?

The size and shape of its particle and the attractions between the particles. Signup and view all the answers

Which liquids flow quickly? Which flow slowly?

Liquids with high viscosity flow slowly, and liquids with low viscosity flow quickly. Signup and view all the answers

Other than liquids, what is another fluid?

Gas. Signup and view all the answers

How is a gas defined?

Gases have no definite shape and no definite volume. Signup and view all the answers

How does breathing demonstrate that gases are fluids?

While you're breathing, gases in the air flow freely through the body and back out again. Signup and view all the answers

What property of liquids causes water to form droplets?

Surface tension. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

States of Matter Overview

Matter exists in three primary states: solids, liquids, and gases, defined by shape and volume.

Solids

Solids possess a definite shape and a definite volume.
The particles in a solid are closely packed together, which restricts their movement.
Although particles in solids are not motionless, they vibrate slightly in place.
Crystalline solids have particles arranged in a regular repeating pattern, such as salt.
Amorphous solids have particles that do not form a regular pattern, such as rubber.
Crystalline solids melt at specific temperatures, while amorphous solids soften or change into another substance when heated.

Liquids

Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
The property of liquids to flow results from freely moving particles.
A fluid is defined as any substance that flows, which includes both liquids and gases.
Surface tension in liquids is caused by the inward pull among molecules, allowing the surface to behave as an elastic layer.
For example, water striders can "walk" on water due to surface tension.
Viscosity is a measure of a liquid's resistance to flow, influenced by particle size, shape, and inter-particle attractions.
Liquids with high viscosity (e.g., honey) flow slowly, while those with low viscosity (e.g., water) flow quickly.

Gases

Gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume.
The properties of gases allow them to flow freely, as demonstrated by the breathing process where air moves in and out of the body.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the fundamental concepts of solids, liquids, and gases. It includes definitions and explanations regarding their properties and behaviors. Test your understanding of how these states of matter differ based on shape and volume.