States of Matter and Physical Properties

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the states of matter, gas laws, and the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases.

States of Matter

The three forms in which matter exists: gas, liquid, and solid.

Gas

A state of matter consisting of widely spaced molecules that are free to move about.

Liquid

A state of matter where molecules are in contact, allowing them to flow and move past each other.

Solid

A state of matter where molecules are arranged in a fixed order within a crystal lattice.

Expansibility

The ability of gases to expand and fill the entire volume of their container.

Compressibility

The property of gases that allows them to be easily compressed under pressure.

Diffusibility

The ability of gases to mix and spread evenly through one another.

Pressure (P)

The force exerted by gas molecules per unit area in contact with the walls of its container.

Atmosphere (atm)

A unit of pressure that is equal to the pressure exerted by a 760 mm Hg column at sea level.

Temperature (T)

A measure of the average kinetic energy of gas molecules, usually expressed in Kelvin (K).

Moles (n)

A quantity of substance; number of moles of a gas can be found by dividing mass by molar mass.

Ideal Gas Law

An equation that describes the behavior of ideal gases; expressed as PV = nRT.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

A theory that describes gas behavior based on the motion of molecules.

Vapor Pressure

The pressure exerted by vapor above a liquid at equilibrium.

Surface Tension (γ)

The elastic tendency of a fluid surface that makes it acquire the least surface area possible.

Viscosity (η)

A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow or movement.

Refractive Index (n)

The ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to the velocity in a substance.

Optical Activity

The ability of a compound to rotate the plane of polarized light.

Crystalline Solid

A solid with a highly ordered structure, forming a crystal lattice.

Amorphous Solid

A solid that lacks a well-defined arrangement or order of molecules.

Anisotropy

A property of crystalline solids where physical properties vary in different directions.

Isotropy

A property of amorphous solids where physical properties are the same in all directions.

Coordinate Number

The number of nearest neighbors surrounding a particle in a crystal lattice.

Ionic Crystals

Crystals held together by ionic bonds between cations and anions.

Molecular Crystals

Crystals formed by molecules held together by van der Waals forces.

Metallic Crystals

Crystals in which electrons are delocalized, forming a sea of electrons.

Polymorphism

The ability of a substance to exist in more than one crystalline form.

Enantiotropic

Polymorphs that can interconvert at a certain temperature.

Monotropic

Polymorphs where one form is stable and can transform into the metastable form.

Dynamic Allotropy

The existence of multiple forms which can coexist in equilibrium over a range of temperatures.