Topic 1

The particulate nature of

matter

1.1- The states of matter

Matter

substance that has mass and occupies space.

Matter

can exist as a solid, a liquid or a gas.

These

three forms of matter are called the states of

matter.

Property

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Shape

fixed

not fixed

not fixed

Volume

fixed

fixed

not fixed

cant be
compressed

cant be
compressed

can be
compressed

Compressibility

1.2- Kinetic particle theory

The

kinetic particle theory states that:

all matter is made up of tiny particles and that
these particles are in constant random motion

The

kinetic particle theory is used to:

describe the states of matter
explains the differences in the properties of
solid, liquids, gases
explains the changes in state of matter.

Characteris
tic

Solid

Arrangement orderly
closely packed
of particles

Liquid
disorderly
less closely
packed

Gas
disorderly
very far apart

Attractive
forces
between
particles

very strong

strong

very weak

Kinetic
energy of
particles

very low

low

high

Motion of
particles

vibrate and
rotate about
fixed position

move freely
throughout the
liquid

move rapidly
in any
direction

1.3- Changes of state

Matter
When

can change from one state to another.

matter is heated or cooled, the heat energy taken

in or given out causes the kinetic energy of the particles
to change. As a result, there is a change in state.

Melting -1 Changes

of state from a solid to a liquid.

The

temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid is

called its melting point.

Different

Substance
Melting
point/0C

substances have different melting points.

oxygen

ethanol

ice

iron

-219

-114

1535

Melting -2What happens to the particles of a solid that is heated until it melts?

1. Heat energy is absorbed by particles of a solid.

2. Heat energy is converted into kinetic energy.
3. The particles vibrates, until the vibrations of the particles
overcome the forces of attraction between them.
4. The particles begin to break away from their fixed
positions.
5. Finally, all of the particles arent in their fixed positions.
6. The substance is now a liquid.

Melting -3-

The temperature of solid

increases until it reaches its
melting point.
B solid starts to melt.

Temperature/0C

A-B

B-C
During
melting
process,
temperature of substance
remains
constant
even
though heating continues.
A mixture of solid and liquid
exists here.

C-D

A
Time/min

All solids has melted and

temperature of liquid rises
as heating continues.

Freezing -1 Changes

of state from a liquid to a solid.

The

temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid is

called its freezing point.

pure substance melts and freezes at the same

temperature.

Freezing -2What happens to the particles of a liquid that is cooled until it freezes?

1. Heat energy is given out by particles of a liquid.

2. The particles lose kinetic energy and begin to move
more slowly.
3. The particles are no longer have enough energy to
move freely.
4. The particles start to settle into fixed positions.
5. Finally, all of the particles settled into fixed positions.
6. The substance is now a solid.

Freezing -3-

P-Q

The temperature of liquid

decreases until it reaches its
freezing point.
Q liquid starts to freeze.

Temperature/0C

Q-R
Q

During
the
process,
temperature of substance
remains
constant
even
though cooling continues.
A mixture of solid and liquid
exists here.

R-S
Time/min

All liquids has frozen and

temperature of solid drops
as cooling continues.

Boiling
Changes

of state from a liquid to a gas.

The

temperature at which a liquid boils is called its boiling

point.

Different

substances have different boiling points.

Temperature/0C

W-X

Liquid
heats up
X-Y Liquid Boils
Y-Z Gas heats
up

W
Time/min

Evaporation -1 Changes

of state from a liquid to a gas at temperatures

lower than its boiling point.

Evaporation

occurs because some particles have

enough energy to escape as a gas from the surface
of the liquid.

Liquids

that evaporate quickly at room temperature are

called volatile liquids.

They

usually have
temperature.

Examples:

boiling

perfume and petrol

points

just

above

room

Evaporation -2Boiling
occurs only at boiling
point
occurs throughout the
liquid

Evaporation
occurs at room
temperatures below
boiling point
occurs only at the
surface of the liquid

occurs rapidly

occurs slowly

Sublimation

Condensation
Changes

of state from
a gas to a liquid.

Changes

of state from a
solid to a gas.

Occurs

because
particles at the surface
of the solid have
enough energy to break
away from the solid and
escape as a gas.

Ex:

iodine, dry ice

How to determine the state of a substance?

m.p
.

SOLID

b.p.

LIQUID

GAS

 The

table below gives information about six substances,

A, B, C, D, E and F.

Substa
nce

M.P./0C

-188

-114

17

36

300

808

B.P./0C
-42
37
118
344
580
1465
A.
Classify the substance A to F as solids, liquids or gases
at room temperature (0C).

B.
Which substance will change from a liquid to a solid
when placed in a refrigerator (4 0C)?
C.
(i) Which substance will change to a liquid only at 37 0C?
(ii) Which substance will undergo change in state only at 37
0C?
D.

Which substance is a volatile liquid?

The Answers
A.

Solid D, E and F
Liquid B and C
Gas
A

B. C
C. (i) D
(ii) B
D. B

1.4-Diffusion

Diffusion
Diffusion

is the movement of particles from a region of

higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.

Diffussion

does not occur in solids.

Diffusion

in liquids is much slower than in gases (because

the particles move slower in the liquid phase than in the
gas phase).

The

rate of diffusion is affected by relative molecular

mass and temperature.
Ar /Mr
Rate of diffusion
Temperature

Rate of diffusion