States of Matter

Study Notes

Solid:
- Has a fixed shape and volume
- Particles are closely packed and have a fixed position
- Examples: rocks, metals, ice
Liquid:
- Takes the shape of its container
- Has a fixed volume but can change shape
- Particles are close together but can move past each other
- Examples: water, oil, juice
Gas:
- Has neither a fixed shape nor volume
- Particles are widely spaced and can move freely
- Examples: air, helium, oxygen
Plasma:
- A high-energy state of matter where atoms are ionized
- Found in stars, lightning, and neon signs
Bose-Einstein Condensate:
- A state of matter at extremely low temperatures
- Particles behave as a single entity
- Examples: superfluids, superconductors

Definition: A substance that consists of only one type of atom
Properties:
- Cannot be broken down into simpler substances
- Has a unique set of properties
- Examples: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, iron
Symbol: Each element is represented by a one- or two-letter symbol
Atomic Number: The number of protons in an element's atomic nucleus
Atomic Mass: The total number of protons and neutrons in an element's atomic nucleus

Definition: A substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements
Properties:
- Has properties different from its constituent elements
- Can be broken down into simpler substances
- Examples: water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), sodium chloride (NaCl)
Chemical Formula: A representation of the types and numbers of atoms in a compound
Molecular Mass: The sum of the atomic masses of the atoms in a compound

Definition: Characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing its composition
Examples:
- Color: The appearance of a substance
- Odor: The smell of a substance
- Density: The mass per unit volume of a substance
- Solubility: The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent
- Melting Point: The temperature at which a substance changes from solid to liquid
- Boiling Point: The temperature at which a substance changes from liquid to gas

A solid has a fixed shape and volume, with closely packed particles that have a fixed position.
Examples of solids include rocks, metals, and ice.
A liquid takes the shape of its container, has a fixed volume, and particles are close together but can move past each other.
Examples of liquids include water, oil, and juice.
A gas has neither a fixed shape nor volume, with particles that are widely spaced and can move freely.
Examples of gases include air, helium, and oxygen.
Plasma is a high-energy state of matter where atoms are ionized, found in stars, lightning, and neon signs.
Bose-Einstein Condensate is a state of matter at extremely low temperatures, where particles behave as a single entity, and is found in superfluids and superconductors.

An element is a substance that consists of only one type of atom.
Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances and have a unique set of properties.
Examples of elements include hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and iron.
Each element is represented by a one- or two-letter symbol.
The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in its atomic nucleus.
The atomic mass of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons in its atomic nucleus.

A compound is a substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements.
Compounds have properties different from their constituent elements and can be broken down into simpler substances.
Examples of compounds include water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sodium chloride (NaCl).
A chemical formula represents the types and numbers of atoms in a compound.
The molecular mass of a compound is the sum of the atomic masses of the atoms in the compound.

Physical properties are characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing its composition.
Examples of physical properties include color, odor, density, solubility, melting point, and boiling point.
The color of a substance is its appearance.
The odor of a substance is its smell.
The density of a substance is its mass per unit volume.
The solubility of a substance is its ability to dissolve in a solvent.
The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from solid to liquid.
The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from liquid to gas.