Dr Pusey

The Three States of MatterMatter can be in one of three main “states”. The three states of matter are SOLIDS, LIQUIDS and GASES.

What are their properties?

Solid Liquid Gas

Very difficult to squash/compress, can’t be poured,

can’t change shape

Difficult to squash/compress, can be poured, can

change shape

Easy to squash/compress, can be poured, can

change shape

There are OTHER states of matter!

Superfluid, Bose–Einstein condensate, Fermionic condensate, Rydberg molecule, Quantum Hall state, Strange matter, Photonic matter, Dropleton, Degenerate matter, Quark–gluon plasma, Color-glass condensate, Supersolid, String-net liquid, Superglass, Dark matter, Equilibrium gel

See Wikipedia if you’re interested in these ones!

PLASMA – Lightning, Sparks, Neon Signs, Plasma Balls

The Three States of MatterDraw the three states (solid/liquid/gas) of water (H20) in this glass jar. How do they fill up the jar? Do you know how the particles fit together?

Solid Liquid Gas

The Three States of MatterSolid Liquid Gas

Ice Liquid Water Water Vapour

The Three States of MatterSolid Liquid Gas

Ice Liquid Water Water Vapour

Particle theoryParticle theory is all about explaining the properties of solids, liquids and gases by looking at what the particles do.

In a solid the particles ______ around a _____ position. There is a ______ force of attraction between each particle and they are very _____ together

SOLIDS

Words – strong, close, vibrate, fixed

LIQUIDS

GASES

In a liquid the particles are _____ together but can move in any direction. They won’t keep a _____ shape like _____ do.

In a gas the particles are very far apart and move _____ in all directions. They often ______ with each other and because they are far apart they can be easily _______.

Words – fixed, collide, quickly, close, very, solids

DiffusionDiffusion is when something travels from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. For example, consider the scent from a hamburger…

The “scent particles” from this hamburger are in high

concentration here:

Eventually they will “diffuse” out into this area

of low concentration:

Review Questions1. What are the 4 states of matter that we can see every day?

2. In which state of matter are the particles of the highest energy? Solid, Liquid or Gas?

3. In which state are the particles rigid and hold their own shape?

4. Which state of matter is “fluid”?

5. Why do metals expand when they are heated?

6. Why does the pressure inside a container increase when the gas inside is heated up?