1 - States of Matter

Evaporation

The change when a liquid turns into a gas over a various range of temperatures and occurs only at the surface.

Boiling

The change when a liquid turns into a gas at a specific temperature, occurring throughout the liquid.

Freezing

The change when a liquid turns into a solid.

Condensing

The change when a gas is cooled and turned back into a liquid.

Kinetic Particle Theory

A theory that explains the states of matter in terms of the motion of particles.

Gases

A state of matter with no fixed volume or shape; particles can move freely and are randomly arranged.

Liquids

A state of matter with a fixed volume but no fixed shape; particles move past one another and are randomly arranged.

Solids

A state of matter with a definite shape and high density; particles vibrate within fixed positions in a regular lattice.

Heating Curve

A graph that shows how the temperature of a substance changes as it is heated.

Cooling Curve

A graph that shows how the temperature of a substance changes as it is cooled.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Intermolecular Forces (IMF)

Forces that mediate interaction between molecules; they weaken during state changes.

Pressure

The force exerted by particles hitting the walls of a container, influenced by the kinetic energy of the particles.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles; increasing temperature causes more kinetic energy and larger volume.

Brownian Motion

The random and constant motion of particles in a gas or liquid.

Phase Change

A transition of matter from one state to another, such as melting, freezing, evaporation, or condensation.