The particle model: Particle arrangement & properties of solids, liquids & gases

• Liquids


  Made up of particles that are fairly close together. Quite strong forces of attraction hold the particles together. The particles are able to move past each other. Liquids have a fixed volume but their shape can change to fit the container as they flow easily. Liquids cannot be easily compressed (squashed).
• Gases


  Made up of particles that are well spread out. There are only weak forces of attraction between the particles. The particles move about freely in all directions. The shape and the volume of gases can change as they flow very easily and spread out. Gases can be compressed (squashed).
• The state of matter with the weakest force attraction between its particles is a gas
• Solids cannot be easily compressed because of its fixed shape and the particles are very close together
• Liquid particles all need to touch
• The state of matter that takes the shape of its container and cannot be easily compressed is a liquid