State of Matter

Teachers guide/Chemistry form 4 / simulation

Scientific concept
Everything on Earth can be explained in terms of 3 states (phases) of matter-solid, liquid, and gas.
A substance in a solid phase is relatively rigid, has a definite volume and shape.
The atoms or molecules that comprise a solid are packed close together and are not
compressible. Because all solids have some thermal energy, its atoms do vibrate.
However, this movement is very small and very rapid, and cannot be observed under
ordinary conditions.
Liquids have a definite volume, but are able to change their shape by flowing.
Liquids are similar to solids in that the particles touch. However the particles are able to
move around. Since particles are able to touch the densities of liquid will be close to that
of a solid. Since the liquid molecules can move they will take the shape of their container.
Gases have no definite volume or shape. If unconstrained gases will spread out
indefinitely. If confined they will take the shape of their container. This is because gas
particle have enough energy to overcome attractive forces. Each of the particles are well
separated resulting in a very low density.

UNIQUE FEATURE OF THIS ACTIVITY

Student are able to understand the concept of state of matter.
Students are able to describe a molecular model for solids, liquids,

1.
2.

and gases.
students are able to describe process of matter.

3.

EMPOWER
there are three state of matter :
solid
liquid
gas
2.
Log on the website and observe the animation to answer the
1.

question.
http://www.footprints-science.co.uk/flash/states.swf

Result

Solid state
1

Liquid state

Gas state.
QUESTION
1.

Atoms in a liquid are farther apart than the atoms in a gas.

True / false
2. Which has the least energetic molecules?
a- solid
b- Liquid
c- Gasses
3. The freezing point will always be a lower temperature than the boiling point
True / false
4.

A system that changes from a solid state to a liquid state gains

energy.
True / false
5.

As the pressure of a system changes, boiling points can change in

what direction?
a- Increase
b- Decrease
c- Both
6. What is the term used to describe the phase change as a liquid becomes a solid?
a- Evaporation
b- Condensation
c- Freezing
7. Solids usually...
a- expand large amount when the temperature rises
b- Change shape easily
c- None of the above
8. When a substance goes from being a solid to a liquid, it is a...
a- Chemical change
b- Physical change

9. What is the term used to describe the phase change of a liquid to a gas?
a- Boiling
b- Condensation
c- Melting
1.

All materials move from solid to liquid to gas as the temperature

increases.
True/false
Answer:
1. False-Atoms in a gas are actually farther apart than the atoms in a liquid. Solids
are the densest state of matter (of solids liquids, and gases). Gases are the least dense and
have atoms that are the most spread out
2. (A) Solids have the least energetic molecules. When you think about the
different states of matter, you need to remember about energy. Plasmas and gases have
the most energetic atoms
3. True- The freezing point will always be lower than the boiling point. The phase
change from solid to liquid always happens at a lower temperature than the phase change
from liquid to gas.
4. True- Energy is required for a solid to become a liquid. The atoms inside of a
liquid have more free energy than the atoms inside of a solid.
5. (C) We did not say whether the pressure increases or decreases. The boiling
point will change, but you cannot know the direction. The answer is both.
6. (C) When a liquid becomes a solid, it is freezing. The temperature at which a
liquid begins to solidify is the freezing point. It's easy to think about water and ice for this
example. Water (H2O) begins to freeze at 0 degrees Celsius. Other compounds begin to
freeze and solidify at much higher temperatures. Think about molten steel in a refinery.
Steel has a freezing point at several hundred degrees Celsius.

7. (C) Solids don't do any of those things. When temperatures increase, solids
only expand a small amount. They usually retain their shape. Following up on that idea,
solids don't change their shape easily. While they may not always be brittle, solids like to
take a shape and stick with it. Last, solids have relatively high densities compared to
other materials. Their molecules are incredibly close together. The same compound as a
liquid or a gas would take up more room.
8. (B) When a substance moves from one state to another, it is a physical change.
Physical changes usually happen because you add or take away energy. If one substance
combines with another to make a new compound... That is a chemical change.
9. (A) Boling is the process of liquid molecules changing to the gas state. The
boiling point is the temperature at which the molecules of a liquid gain enough energy to
become a gas. The boiling point of water (H 2O) is 100 degrees Celsius. When water
reaches that temperature, the molecules gain the energy to become steam and escape the
water.
10. False-Not all materials move through all three phases as temperatures
increase. Some materials, including carbon dioxide (CO2), can move directly from solid
to the gaseous state of matter. The term used to describe this change of state is
"sublimation." You can see it happen whenever you watch dry ice evaporate