1.1

Solids, liquids and gases

12 flashcards to master Solids, liquids and gases

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Definition Flip

Describe the particle arrangement and motion in a solid.

Answer Flip

Particles in a solid are closely packed in a regular arrangement. They vibrate about fixed positions, with limited movement and low kinetic energy.

Example: Iron atoms in a block of iron.
Definition Flip

Describe the particle arrangement and motion in a liquid.

Answer Flip

Particles in a liquid are close together but not in a regular arrangement. They can move and slide past each other, with higher kinetic energy than solids.

Example: Water molecules in a glass of water.
Definition Flip

Describe the particle arrangement and motion in a gas.

Answer Flip

Particles in a gas are widely separated and randomly arranged. They move rapidly and randomly in all directions, with high kinetic energy.

Example: Oxygen molecules in the air.
Key Concept Flip

What happens to particle kinetic energy during melting?

Answer Flip

During melting, particles gain kinetic energy, allowing them to overcome the forces holding them in a fixed position in the solid.

Example: Ice (solid water) gaining energy to become liquid water.
Key Concept Flip

What happens to particle kinetic energy during boiling?

Answer Flip

During boiling, particles gain sufficient kinetic energy to overcome all intermolecular forces, allowing them to escape into the gaseous state.

Example: Liquid water gaining energy to become steam (gaseous water).
Key Concept Flip

Explain evaporation in terms of kinetic particle theory.

Answer Flip

Evaporation occurs when particles at the surface of a liquid gain enough kinetic energy to overcome the intermolecular forces and escape into the gas phase. This happens at temperatures below the boiling point.

Example: Water evaporating from a puddle.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the effect of increasing temperature on the volume of a gas, assuming pressure is constant.

Answer Flip

Increasing the temperature of a gas increases the kinetic energy of the particles, causing them to move faster and collide more frequently and forcefully with the walls of the container, increasing the volume.

Example: Heating a balloon will make it expand.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the effect of increasing pressure on the volume of a gas, assuming temperature is constant.

Answer Flip

Increasing the pressure on a gas forces the particles closer together, decreasing the volume. The particles have less space to move around.

Example: Compressing air in a syringe reduces its volume.
Definition Flip

What is condensation?

Answer Flip

Condensation is the change of state from a gas to a liquid. This happens when the gas loses energy and the particles slow down enough for intermolecular forces to form.

Example: Water vapor turning into liquid water on a cold surface.
Definition Flip

What is freezing?

Answer Flip

Freezing is the change of state from a liquid to a solid. This happens when the liquid loses energy and the particles slow down enough for intermolecular forces to hold them in fixed positions.

Example: Liquid water turning into ice.
Definition Flip

What is a closed system?

Answer Flip

A closed system is one where matter cannot enter or leave, although energy can.

Example: A sealed container with a chemical reaction taking place inside.
Key Concept Flip

Explain melting in terms of kinetic particle theory.

Answer Flip

When a solid is heated, the particles gain kinetic energy and vibrate more vigorously. At the melting point, the particles have enough energy to overcome the forces holding them in fixed positions, allowing them to move more freely as a liquid.

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1.2 Particle theory

Key Questions: Solids, liquids and gases

Describe the particle arrangement and motion in a solid.

Particles in a solid are closely packed in a regular arrangement. They vibrate about fixed positions, with limited movement and low kinetic energy.

Example: Iron atoms in a block of iron.
Describe the particle arrangement and motion in a liquid.

Particles in a liquid are close together but not in a regular arrangement. They can move and slide past each other, with higher kinetic energy than solids.

Example: Water molecules in a glass of water.
Describe the particle arrangement and motion in a gas.

Particles in a gas are widely separated and randomly arranged. They move rapidly and randomly in all directions, with high kinetic energy.

Example: Oxygen molecules in the air.
What is condensation?

Condensation is the change of state from a gas to a liquid. This happens when the gas loses energy and the particles slow down enough for intermolecular forces to form.

Example: Water vapor turning into liquid water on a cold surface.
What is freezing?

Freezing is the change of state from a liquid to a solid. This happens when the liquid loses energy and the particles slow down enough for intermolecular forces to hold them in fixed positions.

Example: Liquid water turning into ice.

About Solids, liquids and gases (1.1)

These 12 flashcards cover everything you need to know about Solids, liquids and gases for your Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) exam. Each card is designed based on the official syllabus requirements.

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