States of Matter, Gas Laws, and Graphing Review

Vocabulary practice cards covering the states of matter, phase changes, gas laws, and standard scientific graph formats.

Solid

A state of matter characterized by a definite shape and a definite volume, with particles vibrating in a fixed, tightly packed arrangement.

Liquid

A state of matter characterized by a definite volume but no definite shape, with particles that remain close together while moving slowly around each other.

Gas

A state of matter that has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume, consisting of particles that are spread apart, move very quickly, and bounce off container walls.

Crystalline Solids

Solids made up of particles arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, such as salt and sand.

Amorphous Solids

Solids whose particles are not arranged in a regular or definite pattern.

Viscosity

A liquid's internal resistance to flowing.

Surface Tension

The result of an inward pull among the molecules of a liquid that brings the surface molecules closer together.

Melting

The change of state from a solid to a liquid caused by an increase in thermal energy.

Freezing

The change of state from a liquid to a solid caused by a decrease in thermal energy.

Boiling

The change of state from a liquid to a gas that occurs with an increase in thermal energy.

Condensation

The change of state from a gas to a liquid caused by a decrease in thermal energy.

Evaporation

The change of state from a liquid to a gas occurring at the liquid's surface, accompanied by an increase in thermal energy.

Sublimation

The change of state directly from a solid to a gas caused by an increase in thermal energy.

Pressure

The force of a gas's outward push divided by the area of the walls of its container ($\text{Pressure} = \frac{\text{Force}}{\text{Area}}$).

Boyle’s Law

The gas law governing the relationship between pressure and volume, stating that these two variables are inversely related.

Charles’s Law

The gas law governing the relationship between temperature and volume, stating that these two variables are directly related.

Pressure/Temperature Law

The gas law governing the relationship between pressure and temperature, stating that these two variables are directly related.

Pie Graph

A circular statistical graph best used for showing proportions as a percentage or part of a whole.

Bar Graph

A graphical display used to compare discrete categories positioned along the x-axis.

Line Graph

A graph where data points are plotted using x and y components, suitable when the next value depends on the previous value (such as change over time).

Scatter Plot

A graph optimal for collecting large amounts of data to identify an overall pattern, correlation, or line of best fit.