Use the term matter to describe a substance as a solid, liquid or gas.
List the three states of matter.
Compare the properties of a solid, liquid and gas.
Describe the behaviour of matter in terms of particles that are continuously moving and interacting.
Explain the shape, volume, diffusion and compressibility of the three states of matter in terms of the particle model.
Identify the benefits and limitations of models to explain properties of solids, liquids and gases.
Know that particles move faster when they are hot.
Know that particles move slower when they are cold
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. All material is made up of matter. Matter is made up of particles that are too small to be seen. This idea is called the Particle Theory of Matter and these tiny particles are called atoms.
There are different types of atoms. Some substances are made up entirely of one type of atom whereas others are made up of more than two different types of atoms. Different types of substances have different properties. Properties are features that help to identify a material. For example, steel is strong and glass is transparent. Materials become useful because of their properties. Steel is used in bridges because of its strength, while glass is used in windows because it can be seen through and will allow light into a room.
In general, there are three states of matter for each substance: solid, liquid and gas. The particles in each state behave differently which explains their properties.
In science, a model is a representation of an idea, an object or even a process or a system that is used to describe and explain phenomena that cannot be experienced directly. Models are central to what scientists do, both in their research as well as when communicating their explanations.
Matter is the substance that makes up all solids, liquids and gases around us. It has mass and takes up volume.
All material is made up of matter. Matter is made up of particles that are too small to be seen.
This idea is called the Particle Theory of Matter and these tiny particles are called atoms.
There are different types of atoms. Some substances are made up entirely of one type of atom whereas others are made up of more than two different types of atoms.
Throughout history, scientists have tried to explain what matter is and why it behaves the way it does. As new information is discovered, the models used to explain matter have been improved.
States of Matter
In general, there are three states of matter for each substance: solid, liquid and gas. The particles in each state behave differently.
The type, number and arrangement of particles determine the difference in properties of different substances. (Properties are features that help to identify a material. For example, steel is strong and glass is transparent.)
Materials become useful because of their properties. Steel is used in bridges because of its strength, while glass is used in windows because it can be seen through and will allow light into a room.
The density of matter can also change the properties of the same substance when it is in different states.
Heat is a form of energy that alters the movement and arrangement of particles in a substance. Changes in movement and arrangement of particles are linked to changes in state and energy levels.
Matter is anything that has_______________ and takes up ____________.
Thinking Questions
1. Use what you have learned about the particle theory to explain these common
situations:
a) why a solid metal expands when it is heated.
b) why smells of good food diffuse from a bag to your nose
c) You have 100 mL of water in a beaker. You add 20 mL of table salt. The water level
rises to only 105 mL.
d) 50 mL of ethyl alcohol and 40 mL of water combined in a beaker add up to 90 mL of
liquid
2. When a gas is heated in a container, the pressure increases. Explain using the particle
theory of matter.
Read the information above and answer the following questions:
What is a model?
What is the importance of models in science?
Compare the properties of a solid, liquid and gas.
Use the information in the image above to form a table summarising the properties of solids, liquids and gases. Use the following headings:
shape
ease of compression
bond between particles
movement of particles
energy
the arrangement of particles (using a diagram)
3. Extension Activity: Research the 4th, 5th, and 6th states of matter.