STATES OF MATTER

All matter exists in one of three states; solid, liquid or gas. Matter can change from one state
to another. For example water is in the liquid state but it can exist in the solid state as ice
or in the gaseous state as water vapour. Each state of matter has particular properties as
outlined in the table below.

States of Matter
Properties
Solid Liquid Gas

No definite shape No definite shape

– can flow to fill – expands to
Shape Definite shape
the bottom of a completely fill a
container container

Cannot be easily Cannot be Can be easily

Compressibility
compressed easilycompressed compressed

No bonds between
Strong bonds hold Weak bonds allow
Particle particles which
particles in a fixed particles to slide
arrangement fly rapidly around
position past each other
container

Space between No spaces between No spaces between Large spaces

particles particles particles between particles

The particle model of matter can be used to explain the behaviour of solids, liquids and
gases. Look closely at the diagrams below – they are representations of solid, liquid and gas
model. In the model the millions of tiny particles are represented by a few large dots. Can
you explain the properties of the three states of matter by using this model?

Questions
1. What are the three states of matter?
2. Which state(s) of matter can be easily compressed?
3. Which state(s) of matter have spaces between the particles?
4. Compare the bonds between solid, liquid and gas.

Junior Science - Chemistry 9

 STATES OF MATTER - continued

5. Which state(s) can be poured?

6. Re-draw the diagrams using the model for each state of matter after they are put into a
different shaped container.

7. Re-draw the particle theory of matter diagram of a gas when it has been compressed
into a smaller space.

8. Use the particle model of matter to explain why flour, a powder, can flow like a liquid.

9. Use the particle model of matter to explain why foam rubber, a solid, can be
compressed.

10 Junior Science - Chemistry

 STATES OF MATTER
ANSWERS

1. The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.

2. Only gases can be easily compressed.
3. Only gases have spaces between their particles.
4. In a solid the particles are held firmly in place by strong bonding. In liquids the
bonding between particles is not as strong, allowing the particles to slide past one
another and to change positions in the liquid. This explains how liquids can flow and
how substances can diffuse through a liquid. In gases the particles are not in contact
with each other and not bonded to each other.
5. Liquids can be poured. In some situations gases can be poured.

6.

7.

8. Flour can pour (even though it is a solid) because it is a powder made from lots of
little pieces of solid, each which behave like a normal solid. The small pieces slide
past one another rather than the particles themselves.

9. Foam rubber can be compressed because it is filled with air spaces full of gas. The
gas is compressed and the solid is only bent.

Junior Science - Chemistry 11

 CAUSAL EXPLANATION SCAFFOLD

TITLE:
WHAT YOU ARE
PHENOMENON IDENTIFICATION:
TRYING TO
EXPLAIN
Use present tense

EXPLANATION REASON:

A SEQUENCE
OF CAUSE
AND EFFECT
STATEMENTS
EXPLAINING HOW
OR WHY THE
PHENOMENON
OCCURS
Use technical terms
Use present tense, third
person
Use cause and effect
links such as:
• as a result
• because
• due to
• causes
• consequently

14 Junior Science - Chemistry