The particles of a solid are tightly bound and well-arranged in a regular pattern, which does not allow the particles to move freely from one place to another. Gas refers to a state of matter, do not have any shape but conform to the shape of the container, completely, in which it is put in.įree, constant and random molecular motion.īy the term ‘solid’ we mean the type of matter which is rigid in structure and opposes the change in its shape and volume. Liquid is a substance, that flows freely, having a definite volume but no permanent shape. Solid refers to a form of matter which has structural rigidity and has a firm shape which cannot be changed easily. The main difference between solid, liquid and gas lies in their properties, which we are going to discuss in this article. Join us for a curriculum that will help you excel in your physics O Levels and A Levels.Nevertheless, if we talk about the other two states of matter, that is liquid and gas, then liquids flow to take the shape of the beaker and gases diffuse to fill the available volume completely. Here at Best Physics Tuition, we empower our students to achieve excellence in physics. If you find yourself in need of assistance for this topic or any other physics topics, do not hesitate to engage a reliable physics tuition centre for help. Once you have grasped these fundamental concepts, you can then move on to more complex topics like the kinetic model of matter. Understanding the properties of the three states of matter and how to compare them is integral to the understanding of classical physics. This is a property unique to gases, which the other two states of matter do not share. Also, because of how far apart the molecules are, gases can be compressed. The forces of attraction between the molecules in a gas are very weak. These molecules can vibrate and move around freely at high speeds, in random directions. Gases contain widely spaced molecules which are arranged irregularly and randomly. However, the molecules are still compact, meaning that liquids are incompressible and have a fixed volume. They can take the shape of the container that they are kept in, as water does with your cup. Therefore, the molecules are able to move about freely and can slide over one another.ĭue to its molecules’ freedom to move, liquids do not have a fixed shape. The intermolecular forces of attraction are also strong, but less so than in solids. Like solids, the molecules in liquids are packed rather close together, but not as compactly. Liquids contain molecules that are arranged randomly and irregularly. As you would expect, solids do not flow easily either, as the rigid arrangement prevents the molecules from sliding past one another. They are also incompressible due to the high density, i.e. This is due to very strong intermolecular forces of attraction, which also cause the molecules to be very close together.Īs a result, solids often maintain a fixed shape and volume. These molecules vibrate about their fixed positions, but generally do not move from their place. Solid matter contains tightly packed molecules, often in a regular assortment. The states will be discussed in terms of molecular structure and intermolecular forces. Now that you have a grasp of what ‘matter’ is, we can discuss the three states of matter and how they differ. Following this definition, it is important to note that massless particles like photons are not matter, and neither are energy phenomena like sound or light. In fact, virtually everything around you, from the air you breathe to the food you eat, can be considered matter. In a practical sense, anything made of atoms is matter. Matter is a term used to describe any substance that has mass and takes up space, i.e. Why is it that one substance can take so many forms? To answer this question, we need to take a look at the concepts of matter and how particles behave differently in each state. But water can also exist as ice (a solid), and steam (a gas). When you think of water, most people would think of the water that you drink from a cup or the water in the sea. Substances can have wildly different properties based on the state they are in, despite the actual particles themselves remaining unchanged. Depending on the arrangement and movement of the particles within a substance, we classify them as one of three states of matter. Everything in the universe is made of tiny particles, which include atoms, molecules, and ions.
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