States of Matter

Study Notes

There are four fundamental states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma
Solids:
- Particles are closely packed and have a fixed shape and volume
- Particles vibrate in place but do not change position
Liquids:
- Particles are close together but are free to move past one another
- Particles have a fixed volume but take the shape of their container
Gases:
- Particles are widely spaced and are free to move in any direction
- Particles have neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume
Plasma:
- A high-energy state of matter where atoms are ionized
- Found in stars, lightning, and neon signs

Physical Properties:
- Characteristics that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance
- Examples: color, texture, odor, melting point, boiling point
Chemical Properties:
- Characteristics that describe a substance's ability to undergo chemical changes
- Examples: flammability, reactivity with other substances, pH level
Extensive Properties:
- Properties that depend on the amount of substance present
- Examples: mass, volume, density
Intensive Properties:
- Properties that do not depend on the amount of substance present
- Examples: temperature, concentration, density

The process by which a liquid transforms into a gas or vapor
Occurs at the surface of a liquid, where molecules have enough energy to escape
Factors that influence evaporation:
- Temperature: higher temperatures increase evaporation rate
- Surface area: increased surface area allows more molecules to escape
- Humidity: lower humidity allows for faster evaporation
- Air movement: increased air movement facilitates evaporation
Evaporation is an important process in nature, contributing to:
- Water cycle and precipitation
- Weather patterns and climate
- Plant transpiration and photosynthesis

Four fundamental states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma
Solids:
- Fixed shape and volume due to closely packed particles
- Particles vibrate in place but do not change position
Liquids:
- Particles close together, free to move past one another
- Fixed volume, takes shape of container
Gases:
- Widely spaced particles, free to move in any direction
- Neither fixed shape nor fixed volume
Plasma:
- High-energy state of matter with ionized atoms
- Found in stars, lightning, and neon signs

Physical Properties:
- Characteristics observable or measurable without changing substance identity
- Examples: color, texture, odor, melting point, boiling point
Chemical Properties:
- Characteristics describing substance's ability to undergo chemical changes
- Examples: flammability, reactivity with other substances, pH level
Extensive Properties:
- Properties dependent on amount of substance present
- Examples: mass, volume, density
Intensive Properties:
- Properties independent of amount of substance present
- Examples: temperature, concentration, density

Process by which liquid transforms into gas or vapor
Occurs at liquid surface, where molecules have enough energy to escape
Factors influencing evaporation:
- Temperature: higher temperatures increase evaporation rate
- Surface area: increased surface area allows more molecules to escape
- Humidity: lower humidity allows for faster evaporation
- Air movement: increased air movement facilitates evaporation
Evaporation's importance in nature:
- Contributes to water cycle and precipitation
- Influences weather patterns and climate
- Crucial for plant transpiration and photosynthesis