14 Questions
What happens to particles in a solid as heat is applied?
They start to vibrate more rapidly.
What is a characteristic of particles in a liquid state?
They can move within a fixed shape.
What is a key difference between the solid and liquid states?
Particle movement
In which state of matter are intermolecular interactions negligible?
Gas
What is true about the shape of a solid?
It is fixed.
What happens to a solid as more heat is applied?
It melts into a liquid.
What is a characteristic of particles in a gas state?
They are far apart.
What is true about the volume of a liquid?
It is fixed.
What happens when gas molecules collide with other molecules or the walls of the container?
They bounce off like elastic balls.
What is a characteristic of gases?
They can flow and acquire the shape of the container.
What happens to gas molecules if exposed to space?
They keep moving into space.
What is a characteristic of the plasma state?
The particles are far apart and the atoms are ionized.
What is the most common state of matter in the universe?
Plasma state
What is an example of the plasma state on Earth?
The matter in the plasma TV.
Study Notes
States of Matter
- Matter exists in four physical states or phases: solid (s), liquid (l), gas (g), and plasma.
- The states of matter can be transitioned from one to another by applying heat, with the sequence being solid → liquid → gas → plasma.
Solid State
- Particles (atoms or molecules) are very close to each other and held strongly by intermolecular forces.
- Particles can vibrate around their mean positions but cannot slide past each other.
- Solids have a fixed shape and a fixed volume.
- Expansion and contraction are negligible in the solid state.
Liquid State
- Particles are close enough to experience strong intermolecular interactions, preventing them from crossing the liquid boundary.
- Particles can move around within the liquid, allowing them to flow and acquire the shape of the container.
- Liquids have a fixed volume but no fixed shape.
- Expansion and contraction are negligible in the liquid state.
Gas State
- Particles are far apart, with negligible intermolecular interactions.
- Gas molecules move in straight lines in random directions until they collide with other molecules or the container walls.
- Collisions are elastic, conserving the total kinetic energy of the system.
- Gases can flow, acquire the shape of the container, and expand or contract to fill the available space.
- Gases do not have a fixed shape or a fixed volume.
Plasma State
- Particles are far apart, similar to gases, but with a portion of the negative charge (electrons) separated from the positive charge (nucleus).
- Atoms in the plasma state are ionized.
- Plasma is the most common state of matter in the universe, but rare on Earth.
- Examples of plasma on Earth include matter in electrical arcs, lightning, and neon signs.
Learn about the four physical states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Understand how heat affects the transition between these states.
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