Chemistry: Bonding, Structure and Properties of Matter

A brief summary on bonding, structure and matter

Solid

The particles in a solid are arranged in a regualr pattern. The particles in a solid vibrate in a fixed positon and are tightly packed together. The particles in a solid have a low amount of kinetic enrgy.

Solids have a fixed shape and are unable to flow like liquids. The particles cannot be compressed because the particles are very close together.

Liquid

The particles in a liquid are randomly arranged. The particles in a liquid are able to move around each other. The particles in a liquid have a greater amount of kinetic energy than particles in a solid.

Liquids are able to flow and can take the shape of the container they are placed in. As with solid, liquids cannot be compressed because the particles are close together.

Gas

The particles in a gas are randomly arranged. The particles in a gas are able to move around very quickly in all directions. Of the 3 states of matter, gas particles have the highest amount of kinetic energy.

Gases like liquids, are able to flow and can fill the container they are placed in. The particles in a gas are far apart from one another which allows the particles to move in any direction.

Gases can be compressed; when squashed, the particles have an empty space to move into.

Formation of ions

Metals lose electrons to become positively charged.

Non-metals gain electrons to become negatively charged.

Metallic bonding

Metallic bonding occurs between metals only. Positive metal ions are surrounded by a sea of delocalised elctrons. The ions are tightly packed and are arranged in rows.

There are strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive metal ions and the negatively charged electrons.

Pure metals are too soft for many uses and are often mixed with other metals to make alloys. The mixture of the metals introduces different-sized metal atoms. This distorts the layers and prevents then from sliding over one another. This makes it harder for alloys to be bent and shaped like pure metals.

Ionic bonding

Ionic bonding occours between a meral and a non-metal. Metals lose electrons to become positively charged. Opposite charges are attrected by electrostatic forces - and ionic bonding.

Ionic compounds form structures called giant lattices. There are strong electrostatic forces of attraction that act in all directions and act between the oppositely charged ions that make up the giant ionic lattice.