Solids, liquids and gases - their 'molecular' structure

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="03fd4c00dduajq.png"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Science For All"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="site_map_and_site_search_engine.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Science for all site map"><U>Site map + site search engine</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Student pages switchboard"><U>Switchboard</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="slg.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="solids, liquids and gases"><U>solids, liquids and gases</U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Solids, liquids and gases - their 'molecular' structure</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Changes of state"><U>Changes of state</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Air resistance"><U>Air resistance</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mass and weight"><U>Mass and weight</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Conduction of heat"><U>Conduction of heat</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Static Electricity"><U>Static Electricity</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acid Rain factfile"><U>Acid Rain factfile</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0f8a0a03.png"> <div> Solids, liquids and gases - their 'molecular' structure</div> <bR> <div> You are visiting the Science For All site</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0f7f4040.png" border=0 width="500" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> On this page, you will find out about why the three states of matter have their particular properties. In order to understand what is going on, you have to think small. Everything is made from particles called atoms and molecules. The properties of things depend on what particles are there and how the particles are arranged. </div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="kinetic"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>The easiest way to imagine particles is as small balls. <IMG SRC="12b0f0f0.png" border=0 width="15" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> These particles are in constant movement. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >hotter </FONT>they are, the <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >faster </FONT>they move. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">This can explain freezing/melting, boiling/condensing and lots more. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It is called the <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Kinetic Theory</FONT> of Matter. Kinetic is something to do with movement.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="solids"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Solids</div> <bR> <div> In solids, the particles are arranged in a <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >regular </FONT>pattern, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >touching </FONT>each other. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="12dd4710.png" border=0 width="212" height="113" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> They <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >attract</FONT> each other with a <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >strong</FONT> force (because they are so small and so close). This means that they <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >cannot change places</FONT>. Remember <A HREF="#kinetic" TITLE="Solids, liquids and gases their molecul"><U>above</U></A>, the particles of matter are always moving. Since they cannot change places in a solid, they simply <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >vibrate</FONT>. </div> <div> A good way of thinking about this is to imagine the pupils in your class as representing the particles of a solid. When everyone is in their places, it is like a solid. Everyone moves a bit but they don't swap places.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Solids do not flow. The particles in a solid cannot change places so a solid will keep its shape (unless it is broken). </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Solids cannot be compressed. Since the particles of a solid are already touching each other, they cannot be squashed any closer.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Solids can be quite strong because the particles are close which makes the forces holding each particle to its neighbour strong. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It is not possible to pass through solids without breaking them because the particles are so tightly packed and cannot move out of the way.</div> <bR> <div> Remember, there are usually exceptions to most scientific rules, we all know examples of weak solids. </div> <bR> <div> Liquids</div> <bR> <div> In liquids, the particles are still <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >pretty close together</FONT> but not necessarily touching each other. There is no pattern. We say that they <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >arranged randomly</FONT>. They are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >moving</FONT> about in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >all directions</FONT>, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >changing places</FONT> all of the time.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="12cf0a90.png" border=0 width="240" height="169" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The forces holding the particles together in a liquid are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >not as strong</FONT> as those in a solid. Remember, the particles are moving all of the time. In a liquid, you can see that it is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >possible</FONT> for them to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >change places</FONT>. </div> <bR> <div> A good way of thinking about the particles in a liquid is to imagine your class in a science lab at the start or end of a practical. Everyone is still quite close together but you are all moving about, changing places. Often the pupils in a class will bump into each other at these times. This also happens in liquids!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Liquids can flow. This is because the particles can move past each other. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Liquids will not keep any shape because the particles are always moving around and changing places. They will take up the shape of the container they are in.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Liquids cannot be compressed because the particles are already very close together.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Gases</div> <bR> <div> In gases, the particles are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >very spread out</FONT>. They are moving <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >very quickly</FONT> in different directions. They are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >not</FONT> arranged in any <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >pattern</FONT>. They are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >changing places</FONT> all of the time.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="12ebde20.png" border=0 width="189" height="226" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >forces </FONT>holding the particles together are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >very small</FONT>. They are so small that they can be <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >ignored </FONT>so we say there are <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >no forces</FONT> holding them together. </div> <bR> <div> Back to the class as an example. At the end of the lesson, when you leave the room, the pupils in the class all go their separate ways. You spread out round the school so you are a bit like a gas.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Gases flow. This is because the particles are always changing places with each other.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Gases spread out to fill the container. This is because they are moving very fast and there are no forces to stop them flying apart. They will be stopped by the solid walls of the container. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Gases can be compressed (squashed). This is because the particles are so far apart. They can easily be squeezed together. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70118ff990000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Gases spring back when you stop compressing (squashing) them. As soon as you stop squeezing, they fly apart again. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Now think about this.</div> <bR> <div> It is easier to walk through air than through water. It is much easier to walk through water than through a wall. You should now be able to explain why in a <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >scientific </FONT>way. </div> <bR> <div>  <A HREF="mailto:webmaster@DDAS.zzn.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:webmaster@DDAS.zzn.com"><U> <img src="HTMLobj-303/aniGif.gif" alt="sunglasses animated GIF for email" border="0" align="bottom" width="67" height="50">    email me</U></A> with the answer or if you have any questions that you need answering. Sorry, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" >no prizes</FONT> but if you are Y9 or below and your answer is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" >detailed</FONT> enough, you will get your name in the <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#hall_of_fame" TITLE="Solids, liquids and gases their molecul"><U>"Hall Of Fame"</U></A> </FONT>and receive a<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > certificate </FONT>as soon as I get it sorted. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Want to know more? Good scientists should check out several sources of information. Try this site as well:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.chem4kids.com/matter/index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.chem4kids.com/matter/index.ht"><U>Chem4Kids</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="566" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=4 HEIGHT= 23 ><NOBR><div>  <A NAME="hall_of_fame"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" >Hall of Fame (click on name to view the answer)</FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 44 WIDTH="169"><div> Name</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="187"><div> School</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> Class or age</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="95"><div> Date</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 44 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ricky Goddard, The Beacon School, Surrey"><U>Ricky Goddard</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="187"><div> The Beacon School, Banstead, Surrey</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><div> Y7</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="95"><div> 1st July 2001</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 44 WIDTH="169"><div> <A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Josh Hughes Solids, Liquids and gases a"><U>Josh Hughes</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="187"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="44" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="187" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> Grade 8</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="95"><div> 7th April 2002</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="169"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="23" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="169" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="187"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="23" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="187" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="82"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="23" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="82" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="95"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="23" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="95" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>