States of Matter

Vocabulary flashcards for IGCSE Chemistry Topic 1: States of Matter.

Matter

Everything around us that has mass and occupies space, made up of tiny particles.

Solid

A state of matter with a fixed volume and shape, where particles are tightly packed.

Liquid

A state of matter with a fixed volume but takes the shape of its container; particles can move around a bit.

Gas

A state of matter with no fixed volume, takes the shape of its container; particles move around freely.

Melting

The change of state from a solid to a liquid.

Melting Point

The specific temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid.

Boiling

The change of state from a liquid to a gas, occurring rapidly at the boiling point.

Boiling Point

The specific temperature at which a liquid changes rapidly into a gas.

Evaporation

The change of state from a liquid to a gas, occurring at various temperatures and over time.

Condensing

The change of state from a gas to a liquid, occurring when a gas loses heat.

Freezing

The change of state from a liquid to a solid, occurring at the freezing point.

Heating Curve

A graph that illustrates how the temperature of a substance changes as it is heated over time, showing changes in state.

Cooling Curve

A graph that illustrates how the temperature of a substance changes as it cools over time, showing changes in state from gas to liquid to solid.

Diffusion

The process where particles spread out from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Kinetic Particle Theory

States that all matter is made up of tiny particles in constant, random motion.

Relative Molecular Mass

The mass of a molecule relative to the mass of carbon-12; affects the diffusion rate of gases.