Death Metal & Reggae = Kinetic Theory

A useful analogy for visualizing particles of a solid, liquid, and gas according to the kinetic theory of matter is to consider audience members at a concert to represent particles of matter. As the "energy" of the music is increased the way the people dance changes in the same manner that the motions of particles change when progressing from solid to liquid to gas.

I like to teach the kinetic theory of matter by demonstrating this analogy in front of my students. I will discuss the behavior of a typical audience while playing classical music, reggae, and death metal, while dancing the whole time. My lack of talent as a dancer, combined with my willingness to look like a complete fool, result in an entertaining, memorable, and, most importantly, accurate demonstration of the different states of matter.

I recommend stretching out before attempting to demonstrate "gas," and I recommend asking students to describe what an audience would look like if they were to dance in a way that is analogous to plasma.

For more on states of matter & kinetic theory, check out http://www.ewart.org.uk/science/structures/str1.htm.

Solid

Physical Properties: Low energy. Particles vibrate slowly in fixed positions.

Source: http://www.ewart.org.uk

Musical Analogy: Classical music/Opera. Audience members might bob heads or rock in rhythm with the music, but are confined to their seats--their neighbors on the left and their right at the beginning of the concert will be the same at the end.

Sample Song: Time to Say Goodbye - Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli

Liquid

Physical Properties: Medium energy. Particles move freely but slowly, low speed collisions. Particles are closely spaced.

Source: http://www.ewart.org.uk

Musical Analogy: Reggae. Audience members stand close to each other as they pack towards the front of the stage. Audience members are free to dance in a relaxed, free-flowing fashion. They may bump together but not violently. The audience members neighboring an individual at the start of the concert won't be the same at the end--an audience member could drift from one side of the stage to the other during the concert.

Sample Song: Steppin' Out - Steel Pulse

Gas

Physical Properties: Particles move fast, violent collisions, lots of space between particles, outward pressure.

Source: http://www.ewart.org.uk

Musical Analogy: Death metal. Audience members form a mosh pit and slamdance. Collisions are violent, particles move fast and travel large distances.

Sample Song: This Darkened Heart - All That Remains