States of MatterCambridge IGCSE Physics: Flashcards

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What are the three states of matter?

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What are the three states of matter?: Solid, liquid, and gas.
Define the distinguishing properties of a solid.: A solid has a fixed shape and a fixed volume. It has particles arranged in a regular pattern with strong forces between them, allowing only vibration about fixed positions.
Define the distinguishing properties of a liquid.: A liquid has a fixed volume but no fixed shape (takes the shape of its container). Particles are in contact with weak forces between them, allowing movement but not separation.
Define the distinguishing properties of a gas.: A gas has no fixed shape and no fixed volume. Particles are far apart with negligible forces between them, moving freely at high speeds in random directions.
What is the name of the change of state from solid to liquid?: Melting.
What is the name of the change of state from liquid to gas?: Boiling (or evaporation).
What is the name of the change of state from gas to liquid?: Condensation.
What is the name of the change of state from liquid to solid?: Freezing (or solidification).
What is the name of the change of state from solid directly to gas?: Sublimation.
What is the name of the change of state from gas directly to solid?: Deposition.
Why can a solid maintain a fixed shape?: Because the forces between particles are strong enough to hold them in fixed positions, only allowing particles to vibrate about these positions.
Why can a liquid flow and take the shape of its container?: Because particles have sufficient kinetic energy to overcome some of the forces holding them, allowing them to move past each other while remaining in contact.
Why do gases expand to fill any container?: Because particles have very high kinetic energy, weak intermolecular forces are negligible, and particles move randomly at high speeds throughout the available space.
Explain what happens to particle arrangement during melting.: The regular, fixed particle arrangement of a solid breaks down as particles gain kinetic energy. Particles break free from fixed positions but remain in contact, creating the liquid state.
Explain what happens to particle spacing during boiling.: Particles gain sufficient kinetic energy to overcome intermolecular forces and separate completely. The spacing between particles increases dramatically as they transform from liquid to gas.