Three States of Matter

• Everything is made of matter
• There are 3 common states of matter : solid , liquid and gas
• In the three states of matter , particles are arranged differently
• The 3 states of matter are described by a simple model called the 'particle model'

  
• In the particle model , particles are represented by small solid spheres

  
• The particle model can be used to explain how the particles are arranged , and how they move in solids liquids and gases

  
• In solids, the particles

  • Have a regular arrangement and are packed together , very closely with almost no spaces between the particles – this makes solids extremely hard to compress  
  • Solids have a fixed shape , and cannot flow from place to place , as the particles can vibrate , but cannot move from place to place 
  • The particles in a solid vibrate around fixed positions 

  
• In gases, the particles

  • Have particles that are widely spaced , making gases easy to compress  
  • Gases spread out , and fill the space of their container , because the particles in a gas move quickly in all directions  
  • The particles in gases have a random arrangement  

  
• In liquids, the particles

  • Have particles that are close together , with not many spaces – this makes liquids hard to compress  
  • Liquids take the shape of their container and can flow from place to place , as they have particles that can move  
  • The particles in a liquid have a random arrangement  

  
• The particle model has limitations:?

  • Does not take into account the forces between the particles  
  • Does not take into account the volume (although small) of the particles  
  • Does not take into account the space between particles