States of matter and the particle model
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Describe the arrangement and movement of particles in a solid, a liquid and a gas
- Explain the shape, volume and compressibility of each state using the particle model
- Name the changes of state, and say whether energy is taken in or given out
- Explain that mass is conserved in a change of state
- Read a heating curve, and explain why the temperature stays flat while a substance melts
You should already know
- Solids, liquids and gases, from primary school science (Year 4 Science)
- Reading tables and line graphs (Chapter 1 of this book)
Where this leads
- Diffusion and density, which use the particle model further (Chapter 5)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 3 science, Year 7. Content: C1 solids, liquids and gases are described by the particle model: the arrangement, movement and energy of particles, C1 changes of state are physical changes; the mass is conserved in a change of state.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Recall the states.
- Recall. The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.solid, liquid, gas
- Write the answer. solid
Check. Each state is a different state of the same material. ✓
Method. Recall the fact.
- Recall. Pure water freezes and melts at 0 degrees Celsius.0 degrees C
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Ice melts at 0 degrees Celsius. ✓
Method. Recall the change.
- Recall. When a liquid turns into a gas, the change is called evaporation or boiling.evaporation
- Write the answer. evaporation
Check. Boiling is a change from liquid to gas at the boiling point. ✓
Method. Multiply.
- Multiply. 3 times 20 is 3 x 20.3 x 20 = 60
- Write the answer. 60
Check. Check: 60 divided by 3 is 20. ✓
Method. Convert to grams.
- Convert. 1 kilogram is 1000 grams, which is more than 500 grams.1000 g
- Write the answer. 1 kilogram
Check. 1 kilogram is twice 500 grams. ✓
Particles in solids, liquids and gases
All materials are made of tiny particles. The particle model uses this idea to explain the three states of matter.
In a solid, the particles are close together in a regular pattern, and they vibrate about fixed positions. In a liquid, the particles are close together but arranged randomly, and they move around and slide past each other. In a gas, the particles are far apart, move quickly in all directions, and are arranged randomly.
The table compares the three states.
| State | Shape | Volume | Arrangement | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| solid | fixed shape | fixed volume | close together, in a regular pattern | vibrate about fixed positions |
| liquid | takes the shape of its container | fixed volume | close together, but random | move around and slide past each other |
| gas | takes the shape of its container | fills the container | far apart, and random | move quickly in all directions |
Key ideas
- Solid: particles close together, in a regular pattern, vibrating about fixed positions.
- Liquid: particles close together but random, and they can move past each other.
- Gas: particles far apart, random, and moving quickly in all directions.
- The particle model explains the properties of each state.
Method. Match the description to a state.
- Read the description. Particles far apart and moving quickly in all directions describe a gas.gas
- Check. A gas has particles that are far apart and random.far apart
- Write the answer. gas
Check. The table gives gas particles as far apart. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. The table says the solid particles are close together in a regular pattern.regular pattern
- Write the answer. So the particles are close together in a regular pattern.regular pattern
- Write the answer. close together in a regular pattern
Check. Solid particles vibrate about fixed positions. ✓
Method. Compare with the solid.
- Read the table. Liquid particles are close together but arranged randomly.randomly
- Decide. So they are not in a regular pattern, and the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Liquid particles can slide past each other. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: particles are not the same as the material. The particles themselves are not solid, liquid or gas; the arrangement and movement of the particles define the state.
Exam tip
Exam tip. Describe a state using both the arrangement and the movement of the particles.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, put an ice cube on a plate at room temperature and look at it every few minutes. Describe what you see. Then say what the particles of the ice are doing, using the words arrangement and movement.
Exercise 4A Particles in solids, liquids and gases
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Solid particles are close together in a regular pattern.regular pattern
- Write the answer. solid
Check. Solids keep their shape. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Liquid particles are close together and arranged randomly.randomly
- Write the answer. liquid
Check. Liquids can flow. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Gas particles are far apart.far apart
- Write the answer. gas
Check. A gas fills its container. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Solid particles vibrate about fixed positions.vibrate
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Vibration keeps them in place. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Gas particles are arranged randomly and move quickly in all directions.randomly
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Gas particles move in all directions. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. In a liquid, particles move around and slide past each other.slide past
- Write the answer. liquid
Check. Solid particles do not slide past each other. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Gas particles move quickly in all directions.move quickly
- Write the answer. gas
Check. Gas particles are far apart. ✓
Method. Compare how close the particles are.
- Compare. Solid particles are closest, liquid particles are close, and gas particles are far apart.closest
- Order. So the order is solid, liquid, gas.solid, liquid, gas
- Write the answer. solid, liquid, gas
Check. Closest packing is in the solid. ✓
Method. Compare with the table.
- Compare. In a solid the particles vibrate about fixed positions; they do not move freely.fixed positions
- Decide. So Ben is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Free movement is a feature of gases. ✓
Method. Check the arrangement of a solid.
- Check. In a solid the particles are close together.close together
- Decide. So the drawing is not correct, and the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Far apart particles describe a gas. ✓
Method. Think about the forces between particles.
- Think about the forces. In a gas the forces between the particles are very weak.weak forces
- Think about the result. So the particles spread out to fill the space.spread out
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the particles are not held together strongly, so they spread out and move freely.
Check. Weak forces let particles move apart. ✓
Method. Think about the forces in a solid.
- Think about the forces. The forces between solid particles hold them in fixed positions.fixed positions
- Think about the movement. They vibrate, but cannot move from place to place.cannot move
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the particles are held in fixed positions by strong forces, so they can only vibrate in place.
Check. A solid keeps its shape because the particles stay put. ✓
Shape, volume and compressibility
A solid keeps its shape and its volume. A liquid takes the shape of its container, but keeps its volume. A gas takes the shape of its container, and fills it, so its volume is the volume of the container.
Gases can be compressed (squashed) easily, because there is a lot of space between the particles. Liquids and solids are hardly compressed, because their particles are already close together.
Key ideas
- A solid has a fixed shape and a fixed volume.
- A liquid has a fixed volume, but takes the shape of its container.
- A gas fills its container, and can be compressed easily.
- Liquids and solids are hard to compress because their particles are close together.
Method. Use the spaces between the particles.
- Think about the spaces. In a gas, the particles are far apart, with a lot of space between them.far apart
- Decide. So the particles can be pushed closer together when the gas is squashed.pushed closer
- Write the answer. the particles are far apart
Check. Liquids have little space between particles. ✓
Method. Use the properties of a liquid.
- Think about the shape. The liquid takes the shape of its container, so its shape changes.shape changes
- Think about the volume. Its volume stays the same, so the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. A liquid keeps its volume but not its shape. ✓
Method. Think about the particles.
- Think about the arrangement. Solid particles are held in fixed positions in a regular pattern.fixed positions
- Decide. So the solid keeps its shape.keeps its shape
- Write the answer. Its particles are held in fixed positions.
Check. A solid cannot flow like a liquid. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a liquid does not have a fixed shape, but it does have a fixed volume. A gas has neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume.
Exam tip
Exam tip. Explain a property with the particles: say how close they are, and whether they can move past each other.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, pour a small amount of water into a tall thin glass and then into a wide, shallow dish. Note the shape and the depth. Explain why the shape changes but the volume does not.
Exercise 4B Shape, volume and compressibility
Method. Read the property.
- Read the property. A solid keeps its shape and its volume.shape and volume
- Write the answer. solid
Check. The particles are held in fixed positions. ✓
Method. Read the property.
- Read the property. A liquid has a fixed volume and takes the shape of its container.takes the shape
- Write the answer. liquid
Check. A liquid is like water in a glass. ✓
Method. Read the property.
- Read the property. A gas fills its container completely.fills
- Write the answer. gas
Check. A gas has no fixed volume. ✓
Method. Read the property.
- Read the property. Gases can be compressed easily, because the particles are far apart.easily
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Air in a syringe can be squashed. ✓
Method. Read the property.
- Read the property. Solids are hardly compressed, because their particles are already close together.hardly compressed
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Solids and liquids are hard to compress. ✓
Method. Read the property.
- Read the property. Solids and liquids are hardly compressed.hardly compressed
- Write the answer. solid and liquid
Check. Gases are the only easily compressed state. ✓
Method. Use the property of a liquid.
- Think. A liquid takes the shape of its container, so its shape changes.shape changes
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A liquid takes the shape of its container. ✓
Method. Use the property of a liquid.
- Think. A liquid keeps its volume, so the volume stays the same.keeps its volume
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Only the shape changes. ✓
Method. Think about compression.
- Think. The gas is compressed, so its volume gets smaller.compressed
- Decide. So the gas gets smaller.smaller
- Write the answer. smaller
Check. The particles are pushed closer together. ✓
Method. Use the property of a solid.
- Think. Solids are hardly compressed, because their particles are already close together.hardly compressed
- Decide. So Ruby is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Gases are compressed far more easily. ✓
Method. Check the property.
- Check. A liquid keeps its volume but takes the shape of its container.keeps its volume
- Decide. So the claim is not supported; the shape changes, not the volume.shape
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says a liquid keeps its volume; only its shape changes, which the pupil has confused with volume.
Check. Shape and volume are different properties. ✓
Method. Think about the space.
- Think about the space. In a liquid the particles are already close together.close together
- Think about compression. So there is very little space left to push them into.little space
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the particles in a liquid are already close together, so there is little space to squash them into.
Check. Compressing needs empty space between particles. ✓
Method. Think about the movement.
- Think about the gas. Gas particles move freely in all directions and fill the container.move freely
- Think about the solid. Solid particles stay in fixed positions, so the solid keeps its own shape.fixed positions
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the gas particles move freely and fill the whole container, but solid particles stay in fixed positions.
Check. Particle movement explains the shape. ✓
Changes of state
A change of state happens when a substance changes from one state to another. It is a physical change: no new substance is made, so the change can be reversed.
Melting is solid to liquid, and freezing is liquid to solid. Evaporation and boiling are liquid to gas. Condensation is gas to liquid. Sublimation is solid straight to gas.
Energy is taken in when a substance melts, evaporates or boils. Energy is given out when it freezes or condenses.
The table gives each change, what happens, and whether energy is taken in or given out.
| Change of state | What happens | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| melting | solid to liquid | energy is taken in |
| freezing | liquid to solid | energy is given out |
| evaporation | liquid to gas, at the surface at any temperature | energy is taken in |
| boiling | liquid to gas, throughout the liquid at the boiling point | energy is taken in |
| condensation | gas to liquid | energy is given out |
| sublimation | solid to gas, without becoming a liquid | energy is taken in |
Key ideas
- Melting: solid to liquid; energy is taken in.
- Freezing: liquid to solid; energy is given out.
- Evaporation and boiling: liquid to gas; energy is taken in.
- Condensation: gas to liquid; energy is given out.
Method. Find the change in the table.
- Read the table. The change from solid to liquid is melting.melting
- Check the energy. Melting takes in energy.energy taken in
- Write the answer. melting
Check. Freezing is the opposite change. ✓
Method. Find the change from gas to liquid.
- Read the table. The change from gas to liquid is condensation.condensation
- Check the energy. Energy is given out during condensation.energy given out
- Write the answer. condensation
Check. Condensation forms the drops on a cold window. ✓
Method. Find the change to a solid.
- Read the table. The change from liquid to solid is freezing.freezing
- Check the energy. Energy is given out when a liquid freezes.given out
- Write the answer. freezing
Check. Ice forms when water freezes. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: evaporation can happen at any temperature, from the surface only. Boiling happens throughout the liquid, at its boiling point.
Exam tip
Exam tip. For a change of state, say the start state and the end state, then say whether energy is taken in or given out.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, leave a small dish of water in a warm room, and another dish of water in the fridge. Each day, look at the level. Name the change that happens in each dish, and whether energy is taken in or given out.
Exercise 4C Changes of state
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Solid to liquid is melting.melting
- Write the answer. melting
Check. Ice melts at 0 degrees Celsius. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Liquid to solid is freezing.freezing
- Write the answer. freezing
Check. Freezing is the opposite of melting. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Gas to liquid is condensation.condensation
- Write the answer. condensation
Check. Steam condensing on a mirror is an example. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. A solid turning straight to a gas is sublimation.sublimation
- Write the answer. sublimation
Check. Sublimation does not pass through a liquid. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Melting takes in energy.taken in
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Energy is needed to break the particles free. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Freezing gives energy out.given out
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Energy leaves the water as it turns to ice. ✓
Method. Think about the substance.
- Think about it. No new substance is made; water is still water.still water
- Decide. So a change of state is a physical change, and the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Physical changes can be reversed. ✓
Method. Read the description.
- Read the description. Evaporation happens at the surface of a liquid at any temperature.surface
- Decide. So the change is evaporation.evaporation
- Write the answer. evaporation
Check. Boiling happens throughout the liquid. ✓
Method. Read the description.
- Read the description. Boiling happens throughout the liquid, at its boiling point.throughout
- Decide. So the change is boiling.boiling
- Write the answer. boiling
Check. Boiling needs the liquid to reach its boiling point. ✓
Method. Think about the change.
- Think about the change. The water becomes a gas, so this is evaporation.gas
- Decide. So Ben is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Water in clothes evaporates into the air. ✓
Method. Compare the two changes.
- Compare. Melting turns a solid into a liquid; freezing turns a liquid into a solid.opposite
- Decide. They are opposite changes, so the pupil is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Opposite changes reverse each other. ✓
Method. Think about the substance.
- Think about the substance. The water is still water after it freezes.still water
- Think about reversal. Ice can melt back to water, so the change can be reversed.reversed
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says no new substance is made, and the change can be reversed, so the material is still the same.
Check. Physical changes do not make new substances. ✓
Method. Think about the particles.
- Think about the particles. Gas particles are moving quickly, and they slow down as they become a liquid.slow down
- Think about the energy. They lose energy to the cold window and the air, which is given out.lose energy
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the particles lose energy as they change from gas to liquid, so energy is given out to the surroundings.
Check. Energy is given out when particles slow down. ✓
Mass is conserved in a change of state
In a change of state, the particles are not created or destroyed. They are only arranged differently, and they move differently. So the mass is conserved: the mass before the change equals the mass after the change, if no substance escapes.
The table gives the masses of the same water before and after melting, in a sealed bag.
| Sample | Mass (grams) |
|---|---|
| ice cubes in a sealed bag, before melting | 50 |
| the same water, after melting | 50 |
Key ideas
- Mass is conserved in a change of state.
- The particles are rearranged, not created or destroyed.
- The mass before equals the mass after, when nothing escapes.
- The volume of a substance can change in a change of state, even when its mass does not.
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. The ice before melting has a mass of 50 grams.50 grams
- Write the answer. So the mass before melting is 50 grams.50
- Write the answer. 50 g
Check. The mass after melting is also 50 grams. ✓
Method. Use conservation of mass.
- Think. In a sealed bag, no particles escape, so the mass does not change.no particles escape
- Decide. So the mass after freezing is the same as before.same
- Write the answer. 120 g
Check. Conservation of mass applies to every change of state. ✓
Method. Think about the particles.
- Think about the particles. The particles are only rearranged, not added or removed.rearranged
- Decide. So the mass stays the same.stays the same
- Write the answer. stays the same
Check. Volume can change, but mass stays the same. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: ice is less dense than water, so it takes up more space. The volume changes, but the mass does not.
Exam tip
Exam tip. In a sealed container, the mass is the same before and after a change of state. If a gas escapes, the mass is less.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, put 50 grams of ice in a sealed plastic bag and weigh it on kitchen scales. Let it melt, and weigh it again. Write down both masses and say whether the mass was conserved.
Exercise 4D Mass is conserved in a change of state
Method. Use conservation of mass.
- Read the table. The water after melting has a mass of 50 grams.50 grams
- Write the answer. 50 g
Check. The mass is the same. ✓
Method. Think about the particles.
- Think. The particles are rearranged, not created or destroyed.rearranged
- Decide. So the mass is conserved, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Freezing rearranges particles. ✓
Method. Use conservation of mass.
- Think. Melting only rearranges particles, so the mass stays the same.stays the same
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Melting does not add or remove particles. ✓
Method. Recall the law.
- Recall. In a change of state, the mass is conserved.mass conserved
- Write the answer. mass
Check. Mass is conserved in physical changes. ✓
Method. Use conservation of mass.
- Think. Nothing escapes from a sealed bag, so the mass is conserved.nothing escapes
- Decide. So the mass is still 120 grams.120
- Write the answer. 120 g
Check. The same particles are present. ✓
Method. Subtract the mass after from the mass before.
- Read the masses. The mass before is 300 grams and the mass after is 280 grams.300 and 280
- Subtract. The mass that escaped is 300 minus 280.300 - 280 = 20
- Write the answer. 20
Check. 280 + 20 = 300. ✓
Method. Think about the whole system.
- Think. The vapour is still in the room, so the mass of water in the room is the same.still in the room
- Decide. So the mass is conserved in the room, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Mass is conserved in a closed room. ✓
Method. Compare the two masses.
- Compare. The mass before and after is the same, 30 grams.same
- Decide. So the result is consistent with mass being conserved.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Equal masses fit conservation. ✓
Method. Separate mass from volume.
- Separate. Density changes the volume, but the mass is conserved.volume
- Decide. So Ben is not right about the mass.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Mass and volume are different properties. ✓
Method. Think about what must stay the same.
- Think. The bag, the scales and the amount of ice must stay the same for a fair comparison.stay the same
- Name one. For example, the same scales.same scales
- Write the answer. Accept any one of: the same bag, the same scales, the same amount of ice.
Check. Keep the test fair. ✓
Method. Think about where the water goes.
- Think about the escape. Water vapour escapes into the air, away from the dish.escapes
- Think about the system. The mass has not been lost; it is in the air around the dish.in the air
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the water vapour escapes into the air, so the mass of the dish falls, though no mass is lost from the system.
Check. An open system can lose mass to the air. ✓
Method. Think about the particles.
- Think about the arrangement. The particles are arranged differently in ice, so the space between them changes.space
- Think about the mass. The number of particles is the same, so the mass stays the same.number of particles
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the particles are arranged differently when frozen, so the volume changes, but the number of particles and the mass are the same.
Check. Volume and mass are different properties. ✓
Heating curves and changes of state
A heating curve is a line graph of temperature against time. While a pure substance melts, the temperature stays flat: the energy being supplied is used to break the particles away from their fixed positions, not to raise the temperature. Once it has melted, the temperature rises again.
For pure water, the melting point is 0 degrees Celsius and the boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius, at normal pressure.
The table gives the temperature every two minutes.
| Time (minutes) | Temperature (degrees C) |
|---|---|
| 0 | -10 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 |
| 6 | 0 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 10 | 20 |
Key ideas
- A heating curve is a line graph of temperature against time.
- The temperature stays flat while a pure substance melts or boils.
- The energy during a change of state changes the arrangement of particles, not their temperature.
- Pure water melts at 0 degrees Celsius and boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Method. Read the table at 4 minutes.
- Read the table. At 4 minutes, the temperature is recorded as 0 degrees Celsius.0
- Write the answer. So the temperature is 0 degrees Celsius.0 degrees C
- Write the answer. 0 degrees C
Check. The temperature is flat between 2 and 6 minutes. ✓
Method. Find the start and end of the flat part.
- Find the start. The flat part starts at 2 minutes.2
- Find the end. The flat part ends at 6 minutes.6
- Subtract. The length of the flat part is 6 minus 2.6 - 2 = 4
- Write the answer. 4 minutes
Check. The melting takes 4 minutes on this curve. ✓
Method. Read the table at 10 minutes.
- Read the table. At 10 minutes the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius.20
- Write the answer. So the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius.20 degrees C
- Write the answer. 20 degrees C
Check. Once melted, the temperature rises again. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a flat part of a heating curve does not mean the heater is off. The energy is still going in, and it is used to change the state.
Exam tip
Exam tip. Read the flat part of a heating curve as the change of state, and give the temperature at which the change happens.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, record the temperature of ice in a beaker of water every minute, using a thermometer, while the ice melts in a warm room. Look for a time when the temperature stays flat near 0 degrees Celsius. Do not heat the beaker.
Exercise 4E Heating curves and changes of state
Method. Read the flat part.
- Read the flat part. The flat part is at 0 degrees Celsius.0
- Write the answer. 0 degrees C
Check. Pure water melts at 0 degrees Celsius. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. The temperature first reaches 0 degrees at 2 minutes.2
- Write the answer. 2 minutes
Check. The time before this was rising from minus 10 degrees. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. At 0 minutes the temperature is minus 10 degrees Celsius.-10
- Write the answer. -10 degrees C
Check. The ice starts below zero. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. The temperature is 0 degrees at 2, 4 and 6 minutes.0, 0, 0
- Decide. So the temperature is flat, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. This flat part is the melting. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. At 8 minutes the temperature is 10 degrees Celsius.10
- Write the answer. 10 degrees C
Check. The water has melted, so the temperature rises. ✓
Method. Recall the fact.
- Recall. Pure water melts at 0 degrees Celsius.0
- Write the answer. 0
Check. The flat part on the curve is at 0 degrees. ✓
Method. Recall the fact.
- Recall. Pure water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, at normal pressure.100
- Write the answer. 100
Check. Water at 100 degrees Celsius is steam. ✓
Method. Subtract the temperature at 6 minutes from the temperature at 10 minutes.
- Read the temperatures. At 6 minutes it is 0 degrees, and at 10 minutes it is 20 degrees.0 and 20
- Subtract. The rise is 20 minus 0.20 - 0 = 20
- Write the answer. 20
Check. 0 + 20 = 20. ✓
Method. Think about the energy.
- Think about the energy. The energy is still going in, and it is used to melt the ice.used to melt
- Decide. So Ruby is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Flat means energy is changing the state. ✓
Method. Find the flat part.
- Find the start and end. The flat part runs from 2 minutes to 6 minutes.2 and 6
- Subtract. The length is 6 minus 2.6 - 2 = 4
- Write the answer. 4 minutes
Check. The same as section 4.5 example. ✓
Method. Check the flat part.
- Check. The temperature is flat at 0 degrees, which is where the melting happens.flat at 0
- Decide. So the table supports the claim, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A flat part shows a change of state. ✓
Method. Think about the energy.
- Think about the energy. The energy goes into changing the arrangement of the particles.arrangement
- Think about the temperature. So the temperature does not rise until all the ice has melted.does not rise
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the energy is used to break the particles free from their fixed positions, not to raise the temperature.
Check. Energy changes state before temperature. ✓
Method. Think about a mixture.
- Think about the mixture. A mixture does not have one fixed boiling point.one fixed
- Think about the curve. So the curve rises over a range, rather than staying flat at one temperature.range
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says a mixture boils over a range of temperatures, so the curve is not flat at one temperature like pure water.
Check. Pure substances have fixed melting and boiling points. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Particle model | Solid: close, regular, vibrating. Liquid: close, random, sliding. Gas: far apart, random, fast. |
| Properties | Solid: fixed shape and volume. Liquid: fixed volume. Gas: fills its container and is easily compressed. |
| Changes of state | Melting, freezing, evaporation, boiling, condensation and sublimation. They are physical changes. |
| Energy | Melting, evaporation, boiling and sublimation take in energy. Freezing and condensation give energy out. |
| Mass | Mass is conserved in a change of state. |
| Heating curves | The temperature is flat while a pure substance changes state; pure water melts at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees. |
Can you…?
- I can describe the arrangement and movement of particles in a solid, a liquid and a gas
- I can explain the shape, volume and compressibility of each state
- I can name the changes of state, and say whether energy is taken in or given out
- I can explain why mass is conserved in a change of state
- I can read a heating curve, and explain the flat part
Key terms
- particle model
- a model that explains the states of matter using moving particles
- solid
- a state with a fixed shape and volume, and particles in fixed positions
- liquid
- a state with a fixed volume, which takes the shape of its container
- gas
- a state with no fixed shape or volume, which fills its container
- melting
- a change from solid to liquid, taking in energy
- freezing
- a change from liquid to solid, giving out energy
- evaporation
- a change from liquid to gas at the surface, at any temperature
- boiling
- a change from liquid to gas throughout the liquid, at the boiling point
- condensation
- a change from gas to liquid, giving out energy
- sublimation
- a change from solid straight to gas
- heating curve
- a line graph of temperature against time as a substance is heated
- compressed
- squashed into a smaller volume
Exercise 4Z Check-up
Method. Recall the state.
- Recall. Solid particles are close together in a regular pattern.solid
- Write the answer. solid
Check. Solids keep their shape. ✓
Method. Recall the state.
- Recall. Gas particles are far apart and move quickly.gas
- Write the answer. gas
Check. Gases fill their container. ✓
Method. Recall the change.
- Recall. Solid to liquid is melting.melting
- Write the answer. melting
Check. Freezing is the reverse. ✓
Method. Recall the change.
- Recall. Gas to liquid is condensation.condensation
- Write the answer. condensation
Check. Energy is given out. ✓
Method. Recall the property.
- Recall. A gas takes the shape of its container and fills it.fills
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A gas has no fixed shape. ✓
Method. Recall the property.
- Recall. Solids and liquids are hardly compressed.hardly compressed
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Their particles are already close together. ✓
Method. Use conservation of mass.
- Think. In a sealed bag, the mass is conserved in a change of state.conserved
- Write the answer. 80 g
Check. Melting only rearranges the particles. ✓
Method. Read the flat part.
- Read the flat part. The flat part is at 0 degrees Celsius, which is the melting point.0
- Write the answer. 0 degrees C
Check. Pure water melts at 0 degrees. ✓
Method. Recall the change.
- Recall. Liquid to solid, with energy given out, is freezing.freezing
- Write the answer. freezing
Check. Freezing is the reverse of melting. ✓
Method. Think about the space.
- Think about the particles. The particles are far apart.far apart
- Think about compression. So they can be pushed closer together.pushed closer
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says there is a lot of space between the far-apart particles, so they can be pushed closer together.
Check. Space between particles lets them move closer. ✓
Total 15 marks. Allow about 15 minutes.
Exercise 4X Practice test questions
Method. Recall the state.
- Recall. A liquid has a fixed volume, and its particles slide past each other.liquid
- Write the answer. liquid
Check. A solid does not slide. ✓
Method. Think about the particles.
- Think about the arrangement. Solid particles are held in fixed positions.fixed positions
- Think about the shape. So they cannot flow, and the solid keeps its shape.keeps its shape
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says its particles are held in fixed positions in a regular pattern.
Check. Fixed positions give a fixed shape. ✓
Method. Recall the change.
- Recall. A solid turning straight into a gas is sublimation.sublimation
- Write the answer. sublimation
Check. Sublimation skips the liquid state. ✓
Method. Use conservation of mass.
- Think. In a change of state, the mass is conserved.conserved
- Write the answer. 75 g
Check. Melting does not change the mass. ✓
Method. Subtract the start from the end.
- Find the start and end. The flat part runs from 2 minutes to 6 minutes.2 and 6
- Subtract. The length is 6 minus 2.6 - 2 = 4
- Write the answer. 4 minutes
Check. The melting takes 4 minutes. ✓
Method. Recall the energy change.
- Recall. Melting takes in energy; freezing gives energy out.takes in energy
- Write the answer. melting
Check. Freezing gives energy out. ✓
Method. Think about the container.
- Think about the container. A gas spreads out to fill its container.fills
- Think about the volume. So its volume depends on the container.depends
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says a gas fills whatever container it is in, so it has no fixed volume.
Check. Gas particles spread out. ✓
Method. Think about the change.
- Think about the change. Evaporation is a change of state, so no new substance is made.no new substance
- Decide. So it is a physical change, and Ben is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Physical changes can be reversed. ✓
Method. Recall the fact.
- Recall. Pure water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, at normal pressure.100
- Write the answer. 100
Check. Water at 100 degrees is steam. ✓
Method. Add the mass lost to the mass after.
- Add. The mass before is 200 plus 25.200 + 25
- Calculate. So the mass before is 225 grams.225
- Write the answer. 225 g
Check. 225 minus 25 is 200. ✓