* 1.

3 Particles of Matter

1.3.1 The Kinetic Particle Theory

packed very closely/loosely packed closely/loosely Far apart and in a

together and in an orderly together but not in an disorderly/random
arrangement orderly arrangement arrangement

cannot be compressed cannot be compressed can be compressed

held together by strong held together by strong not held together by strong
forces of attraction forces of attraction forces of attraction

vibrate in a fixed position able to move throughout the free to move in any
but cannot move throughout liquid direction
the solid

least (kinetic) energy more (kinetic) energy than most (kinetic)energy

solid
1.4 Changes of State

** 1.4.1 Melting

1. Melting is the process in which a solid changes into a liquid at a fixed temperature

2. Heat energy is absorbed in the process of melting.

1. The temperature at which melting takes place is called the melting point.

2. During melting, the particles of the solid gain heat energy to overcome the strong
forces of attraction between them so that they can move away from their orderly
arrangement to the disorderly arrangement of the liquid state. Therefore, the
melting point is fixed for each solid.

3. Melting point can be used to identify a substance and to test its purity.
For e.g., ice (solid water) has a melting point of 0oC, so a solid that melts at 0oC

is probably water.

4. Figure 1.1 shows how the temperature of a substance changes with time during

the process of melting, when it is steadily heated.

temperature

Mixture of solid
D
and liquid

Liquid

(melting point) 69°C B C

ice point A to point B: solid stearic acid

A point B to point C: mixture of solid and liquid
stearic acid (stearic acid melting)
point C to point D: liquid stearic acid

time from start

Figure 1.1: The melting of stearic acid

 1.4.2 Freezing

1. Freezing is a process in which a liquid changes into a solid at a fixed

temperature

2. Heat energy is given out in freezing.

3. The temperature at which a liquid freezes is called the freezing point

4. The freezing point is constant during the freezing process. This is so as

heat energy is given out to the surroundings when the particles of the
liquid slow down to take up the orderly arrangement of the solid state.

5. For all pure substances, the freezing point is the same as the melting point.

6. Figure 1.2 shows the temperature of a substance changes with time during
freezing, when a molten substance is allowed to cool naturally.

Temperature

W liquid

Solid and liquid

(freezing point) 69°C
X Y
solid

Time from start

Figure 1.2 The freezing of stearic acid

**1.4.3 Boiling

1. Boiling is a process in which a liquid changes into a gas at a fixed temperature

2. Heat energy is absorbed in boiling.

3. The temperature at which a liquid boils is called the boiling point.

4. During boiling, the particles take in heat energy to break all forces of
attraction that are holding them together, so that, the particles are able to move
freely and be far apart.
[Note : This is why the gas produced from a boiling liquid completely fills a

room.]

5. The boiling point is also constant during the boiling process.

6. A pure substance has a fixed boiling point only at fixed pressure.

Hence, boiling point can be used to identify a substance and to test its purity.
[Note : The boiling point changes with pressure. If the pressure is decreased,
the boiling point decreases.]

7. Figure 1.3 shows how the temperature of a substance changes with time during
boiling, when it is steadily heated.

Temperature

boiling starts at
point A
74°C
A B

liquid

liquid is boiling between

points A and B

Time from start

Figure 1.3 The boiling of trichloroethane

 1.4.4 Evaporation

1. Evaporation is a slow process in which a liquid changes into a gas without

boiling

2. Here, the liquid becomes a vapour.

3. Evaporation occurs below the boiling point of the liquid.

4. Evaporation is different from boiling as it takes place at the surface of the

liquids.

1.4.5 Condensation

1. Condensation is a process in which a gas changes into a liquid.

2. Heat energy is given out in the condensation.

1.4.6 Sublimation

1. Sublimation is a process in which a solid changes into a gas without passing

through the liquid state.

2. A substance sublimes as it does not exist in the liquid state at ordinary

pressure.

3. Examples of such substances : solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), ammonium salts
(ammonium chloride) and iodine, mothballs (naphthalene)

1.4.7 Summary :

Solid

freezing
melting sublimation
 boiling/evaporation

Liquid Gas
condensation