States of Matter Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the states of matter, their properties, and related laws.

Density

Mass per unit volume of a substance.

Compressibility

The measure of how much a substance can decrease in volume under pressure.

Thermal Expansion

The tendency of matter to expand when heated.

Kinetic Molecular Theory (KMT)

A theory that explains the behavior of solids, liquids, and gases based on the motion of particles.

Kinetic Energy

Energy that an object possesses due to its motion.

Potential Energy

Stored energy based on the position of particles relative to one another.

Cohesive Forces

Attractive forces that hold particles together in a substance.

Disruptive Forces

Forces caused by motion that push particles apart.

Boyle's Law

States that pressure and volume of a gas are inversely related; as pressure increases, volume decreases.

Charles's Law

States that temperature and volume of a gas are directly related; as temperature increases, volume increases.

Avogadro's Law

States that equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure have equal numbers of molecules.

Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures

States that the total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the partial pressures of each individual gas.

Graham's Law

A law that states the rate of effusion or diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass.

Endothermic process

A process that absorbs heat, such as melting or evaporation.

Exothermic process

A process that releases heat, such as freezing or condensation.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the atmospheric pressure.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.

Heat of Fusion

The amount of energy required to change a substance from solid to liquid at its melting point.

Heat of Vaporization

The amount of energy needed to convert a substance from liquid to gas at its boiling point.