Solids, Liquids and Gases

All materials exist in one of three different froms:

• Solids
• Liquids
• Gases

All matter is made up of particles (atoms or molecules) and these particles behave differently in solids, liquids and gases.

Matter: Anything that occupies spoace and has mass

Properties of a Solid:

• Definite Shape
• Definite Volume
• Cannot be Compressed
• Cannot Flow

Still Confused?

Imagine a box worth marbles in it.

Tilt the box so all the marbles roll into the corner. The are tightly packed (compresssed) together and cant move freely wothout tilting the box again. 

Properties of Liquids:

• No definite shape
• Definite Volume
• Cannot be compressed
• Can flow

Still Confused?

Imagine a box with marbles in it.

Place the box on a table and shake it gently horizontally from side to side. The marbles are far enough apart to slip past each other

In a liquid particles can slip past each other.

Propereties of Gases:

• No definite shape
• No definite volume
• Can be compressed
• Can flow

Still Confused?

Imagine a box with marbles.

Lift the box up and shake it side to side and up and down quickly. The marbles are free to move in all directions

The particles in a gas can move in all directions independently

Changes of State are physical changes. There is no change of mass and no new substance is formed.

Substances can be changed from one state to another by either heating or cooling them.

• When a solid is heated, it turns into a liquid. This is known as melting. Think of an ice cube

• When a liquid is boiled, it turns inot a gas. This is known as evaporation. Think of your kettle at home

• When a gas is cooled, it turns into a liquid. This is known as condensing. The next time you boil your kettle, place a cold plate over the steam, you will notice little water drops.

• When a liquid is frozen it tunres into a solid. This is known as freezing. Again, think of your ice cubes.

• Matter is anything the occupies space and has mass
• There are three states of matter:
  • Solids
  • Liquids
  • Gases
• Solids are packed close together, have a fixed volume and shape and are difficult to compress
  
• Liquids are packed together, but can move slightly, have a fixed volume but no fixed shape.
• Gases can move in all directions, have no fixed shape or volume but can be compressed

Substances can be changed from one state to another by either heating them up or cooling them down