Section 3.

STATES OF MATTER
 Describing The States of Matter
• Materials can be classified as solids, liquids or
gases based on whether their shapes &
volumes are definite or variable.

– Shape & volume provide clues as to how the

particles within a material are arranged.
 Solids
• Solids have a definite shape and a
definite volume.

– Definite  moving a pencil from your

desk to backpack won’t change the
shape.

– Atoms are arranged closely and in a

regular pattern.
 Liquids
• Liquids have a definite volume, but not a
definite shape.

– Atoms are arranged closely, but appear in a more

random arrangement.
 Gases
• Gas has no definite volume and no definite
shape.

– It will take the shape & volume of the container

it is in.

– Atoms are arranged far apart & at random.

– Think back to “pressure” in Physics.

• Boyles Law: P1V1 = P2V2
• Pressure & Volume are INVERSELY proportional.
 Kinetic Theory
• All particles of matter are in constant motion.

• There are forces of attraction among the

particles.
Section 3.3

PHASE CHANGES
 Phase Changes
• A phase change is the reversible physical change
that occurs when a substance changes from one
state of matter to another.

– Liquid  Gas; Solid  Liquid; Solid  Gas…

– Common Phase Changes:

• Melting & Freezing
• Condensation & Vaporization
• Sublimation & Deposition
 Important Things To Note!
• Temperature of a substance DOES NOT change
during a phase change.

• Energy is either absorbed or released during a

phase change.
– Endothermic Reaction: System ABSORBS energy
• Surround temp will DECREASE
– Exothermic Reaction: System RELEASES energy
• Surround temp will INCREASE
 Melting & Freezing
• Melting: Solid  Liquid
– Endothermic (system absorbs energy)
– Molecules become LESS orderly (more random!)

• Freezing: Liquid  Solid

– Exothermic (system releases energy)
– Molecules become MORE orderly (less random!)
• Side Note: Freezing doesn’t mean COLD!
• Cookies freeze @ 350*F
 Vaporization & Condensation
• Vaporization: Liquid  Gas
– Endothermic process (system absorbs energy)
• Evaporation: Takes place at the surface of a liquid and
occurs below the boiling point.
• Boiling: When vapor pressure & atmospheric pressure
are equal
• Condensation: Gas  Liquid
– Exothermic process (system releases energy)
• The “fog” on the bathroom mirror
 Sublimation & Deposition
• Sublimation: Solid  Gas
– Endothermic (absorbs energy)
• Dry ice creating a “fog effect”

• Deposition: Gas  Solid

– Exothermic (releases energy)
• Frost forming on windows
– (Water vapor  Ice crystals)