States of Matter and Separation Techniques

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the characteristics of states of matter, state change terminology, methods of chemical separation, and the distinction between mixtures and compounds.

Solid

A state of matter where particles are in a fixed vibrational pattern and is typically the densest state.

Liquid

A state of matter where particles are less dense than a solid and can move more freely.

Gas

A state of matter where particles are spread out, resulting in the lowest density and the highest internal energy.

Internal Energy (States of Matter)

Energy that increases as a substance moves from solid to gas; solids have the lowest internal energy (vibrating in place) while gases have the highest (moving freely in all directions).

Mass-Energy Equivalence

The principle that a heavier object stores more internal energy, linking chemistry, physics, and biology.

Melting

The vocabulary term for the change of state from a solid to a liquid.

Freezing

The vocabulary term for the change of state from a liquid to a solid.

Evaporation

The vocabulary term for the change of state from a liquid to a gas.

Condensing / Condensation

The vocabulary term for the change of state from a gas to a liquid.

Sublimation

The process where a solid changes straight into a gas, such as with dry ice (frozen $CO_2$).

Filtration

A separation technique used to separate solids from liquids, utilized in examples like sand and water or car oil filters.

Distillation

A technique that separates liquids based on different boiling points by heating the mixture and capturing the evaporated gas in a sealed tube/syringe to condense it back to liquid.

Crystallisation

A separation technique that removes dissolved solids from a liquid by evaporation, such as producing sea salt in Maldon by letting the sun evaporate seawater.

Mixture

A substance where components are not chemically combined and are always separable, such as a smoothie or Ribena in water.

Compound

A substance where components are chemically combined to form a new substance, such as $Na + Cl = NaCl$ (table salt).

Signs of a chemical reaction

Observable indicators including heat, bubbles, smell, or a change in shape/volume (such as bread dough rising).