States of Matter Flashcards

All 8 cards in this deck

How are the particles arranged, and how do they move, in a solid?

Regularly arranged, close together and in fixed positions; they vibrate about those positions.

How are the particles arranged, and how do they move, in a liquid?

Randomly arranged and close together; they move around and slide past each other.

How are the particles arranged, and how do they move, in a gas?

Randomly arranged and widely spaced (not touching); they move fast in all directions.

What is the name of the change when a solid turns directly into a gas, without melting?

Sublimation.

What happens to the particles when a solid melts?

They gain energy and vibrate more until they break out of their fixed regular positions, so they become randomly arranged and move around each other.

Why are changes of state described as physical changes rather than chemical changes?

No new substance is formed, and the change is easily reversed.

Put solids, liquids and gases in order of the energy of their particles, starting with the least.

Solid → liquid → gas.
Particles in a solid have the least energy; particles in a gas have the most.

What is the name of the change of state when a gas turns into a liquid?

Condensing (condensation).
e.g. steam turning into water droplets on a cold window