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Kinetic Theory (CIE IGCSE Chemistry: Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award))
Revision Note
Solids, liquids & gases
Solids
- Solids have a fixed volume and shape and they have a high density.
- The atoms vibrate in position but can’t change location
- The particles are packed very closely together in a fixed and regular pattern
Liquids
- Liquids also have a fixed volume but adopt the shape of the container
- They are generally less dense than solids (an exception is water), but much denser than gases
- The particles move and slide past each other which is why liquids adopt the shape of the container and also why they are able to flow freely
Gases
- Gases do not have a fixed volume, and, like liquids, take up the shape of the container
- Gases have a very low density
- Since there is a lot of space between the particles, gases can be compressed into a much smaller volume
- The particles are far apart and move randomly and quickly (around 500 m/s) in all directions
- They collide with each other and with the sides of the container (this is how pressure is created inside a can of gas)
Summary of the properties of solids, liquids and gases
Solid | Liquid | Gas | |
Diagram | |||
Arrangement of particles |
Regular arrangement |
Randomly arranged |
Randomly arranged |
Movement of particles |
Vibrate about a fixed position |
Move around each other |
Move quickly in all directions |
Closeness of particles |
Very close |
Close |
Far apart |
Density |
High | Medium | Low |
Energy of particles |
Low energy | Greater energy | Highest energy |
Examiner Tip
You can explain the differences in the physical properties of solids, liquids and gases by referring to the arrangement and motion of particles. This is called the kinetic theory of matter.
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