Particle Theory & its Limitations (AQA GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science)

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Particle theory and its limitations

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What is particle theory?

  • Particle theory explains how matter changes state depending on the energy and forces present between the particles in the substance
  • The amount of energy needed to change from a solid to a liquid and from a liquid to a gas depends on the relative strength of the forces acting between the particles
    • The stronger the forces between the particles, the higher the energy needed for melting and boiling to occur
  • When a solid is heated:
    • The particles absorb thermal energy which is converted into kinetic energy
    • The particles vibrate more and as the temperature increases, they vibrate so much that the solid expands until the bonds break and the solid melts
    • On further heating, the now liquid substance expands more and some particles at the surface gain sufficient energy to overcome the intermolecular forces and evaporate
    • When the boiling point is reached, all the particles gain enough energy for the intermolecular forces to break and the molecules to escape as the liquid boils

Limitations of particle theory

  • Particle theory considers all particles, irrespective of their state or chemical identity, to be small, solid and inelastic
  • It doesn’t consider the difference caused by different particles, such as atoms, ions or molecules or mixtures of all three
  • The theory also fails to consider the intermolecular forces that exist between different particles in different substances

Examiner Tip

Remember that the horizontal sections of a heating / cooling curve represent phase changes during which the temperature doesn’t change as the heat energy is absorbed during the process of changing state.

Predicting physical state

  • The physical state of a substance under certain conditions can be predicted from a given set of data
  • Normally you are given melting and boiling point data for a substance and asked to predict its physical state in specified conditions.
  • At temperatures below the melting point:
    • The substance will be in the solid state

  • At temperatures between the melting point and the boiling point:
    • The substance will be in the liquid state

  • At temperatures above the boiling point:
    • The substance will be in the gas state

Worked example

The table below indicates melting and boiling point data for four different substances named A, B, C and D.

Substance Melting point / oC Boiling point / oC
A -215.6 -173 
B 1736 2800
C 1105 1450
D 650 1560

Predict the states of the following substances:

  • Substance A at -150 ºC
  • Substance B at 50 ºC
  • Substance C at 1400 ºC
  • Substance D at 400 ºC

Answer:

  • A boils at temperatures above -173 ºC so at -150 ºC A is a gas
  • B melts at 1736 ºC so at 50 ºC it is a solid
  • C melts at 1105ºC and boils at 1450 ºC so at 1400 ºC it is a liquid
  • D melts at 650 ºC so at 400 ºC it is a solid

Examiner Tip

Questions on the particle theory of matter show interconversion of states with a reversible arrow: ⇌

This means that the process can go forwards and backwards. Read the question carefully and pick the direction of the change in state that the question refers to.

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Alexandra

Author: Alexandra

Expertise: Chemistry

Alex studied Biochemistry at Newcastle University before embarking upon a career in teaching. With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, Alex has had several roles including Chemistry/Science Teacher, Head of Science and Examiner for AQA and Edexcel. Alex’s passion for creating engaging content that enables students to succeed in exams drove her to pursue a career outside of the classroom at SME.