Understanding States of Matter and Kinetic Theory

Physical States of Matter

Physical States: Solid (Stones, salt, copper) / Liquid (Water, alcohol, gasoline) / Gaseous (Nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen)

Do they have a fixed shape? Yes/No/No. Do they have a fixed volume? Yes/Yes/No. Are they easily compressible? No/No/Yes. Do they expand? No/No/Yes.

Kinetic Theory of Matter

Kinetic Matter is formed by very small particles (atoms) that are invisible even when using microscopes. The particles are in continuous movement. The higher the temperature, the faster they move. There are forces of attraction between the particles that make them group together. The farther the distance between the particles, the stronger these forces become.

States of Movement of the Particles:

• Speed of movement: Low, medium, high.
• Freedom of the particles: Vibration around a fixed position, vibration and sliding around each other, total freedom of movement (bumping into each other and the walls of the container).
• Distances between the particles: Very small, small, very big.
• Force of attraction between the particles: Very strong, strong, very weak.

States of Water Examples

States of Water: Cloud (liquid, solid), Rain (liquid), Fog (liquid), Snow (solid), Ice (solid), Hail (solid), Dew (liquid), Frost (solid), Contracts (solid).

Kinetic Theory Principles

Kinetic Theory:

1. Heat is invested in increasing the speed of vibration of the particles.
2. Heat is invested in maintaining the bonds between the particles.
3. Heat is invested in increasing the speed of the particles.
4. Heat is invested in breaking the bonds between the particles.
5. Heat is invested in increasing the speed of the particles.

Difference Between Boiling and Evaporation

Difference in Boiling: Evaporation occurs at any temperature only at the surface of the liquid. Boiling only occurs at a specific temperature throughout the whole volume of the liquid. We can increase the speed of evaporation by increasing the temperature of the liquid. Evaporated gas particles move away from the liquid surface.

Changes in State and Temperature Curve

Changes: Heat solid; its heating curve. Melting Point: Temperature at which a substance changes state from solid to liquid or from liquid to solid.

Boiling Point: Temperature at which a substance changes state from liquid to gaseous or from gaseous to liquid.

Properties are characteristics of a substance. For instance, the boiling point of water is 100°C, but alcohol has a boiling point of 78°C.