Can help to explain melting, boiling, freezing and condensing
The amount of energy needed to change state depends on the strength of the forces between the particles
The nature of the particles involved depends on the type of bonding and the structure of the substance
The stronger the forces between the particles the higher the melting point and boiling point of the substance
Limitations of the simple particle model include that there are no forces, all particles are represented as spheres, and the spheres are solid
State symbols
Solid (s), liquid (l), gas (g), aqueous (aq)
properties of Ionic compounds
Have regular structures (giant ionic lattices)
Have strong electrostatic forces of attraction in all directions between oppositely charged ions
Have high melting and boiling points
Conduct electricity when melted or dissolved in water, but not when solid as ions are free to move and carry current - cant conduct when solid as ions are in a fixed space
properties of Small molecules
Usually gases or liquids with low boiling and melting points
Have weak intermolecular forces between the molecules
Larger molecules the stronger intermolecular forces and have higher melting and boiling points
Don't conduct electricity (no overall electric charge)
Polymers
Have very large molecules
Atoms in the polymer molecules are linked by strong covalent bonds
Intermolecular forces between polymer molecules are relatively strong, so they are solids at room temperature
Giant covalent structures
Are solids with very high melting points
All atoms are linked by strong covalent bonds that must be overcome to melt or boil
Giant covalent structures
Diamond, graphite, silicon dioxide
Metals
Have giant structures of atoms with strong metallic bonding
Most have high melting and boiling points
The layers of atoms can slide over each other, so metals can be bent and shaped
Alloys
Made from 2 or more different types of metals
The different sized atoms distort the layers in the structure, making it harder for them to slide over each other, so alloys are harder than pure metals
Metals as conductors
Good conductors of electricity because the delocalised electrons carry electrical charge
Good conductors of thermal energy because energy is transferred by the delocalised electrons