Unit 1: Matter Photocopy 2: changes of state and kinetic theory

States of matter
We can find matter in different forms which are called states of matter. There are three
different states of matter, solid, liquid and gas.
Solids hold a permanent shape which doesnt change. They are incompressible,
that means they dont reduce its size when they are forced by pressure. However,
they can dilate (become bigger) as temperature increases.
Liquids can take the shape of its container, so they can flow through pipes or
tubes. They are also incompressible and dilate as temperature increases.
Gases try to fill the whole volume of its container and can flow as liquids. Thats
why we call fluids both liquids and gases. Gases are compressible fluids, so they
can reduce its volume as we force them under pressure.
Changes of state
A change of state is a process in which a portion of matter is transformed from an
original state of matter to a different one.

Melting point of a substance is the temperature at which the substance state changes
from solid to liquid.
Boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which all the liquid volume change to gas
state.
Vaporization includes two different processes:
Evaporation: it is a slow process which takes place at any temperature, only on
the surface of liquids.
Boiling: it is a fast process which takes place in all the volume of the liquid and
only at the boiling temperature, specific for each substance.

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Unit 1: Matter Photocopy 2: changes of state and kinetic theory

1. The next graphic shows the changes of state when you heat a substance. Mark the
three states of matter on the graphic and write the melting and the boiling point of that
substance. What substance is it?

2. The next graphic shows the change of states with the time of alcohol. Mark the three
states of matter on the graphic and write the melting and the boiling point of this
substance.

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Unit 1: Matter Photocopy 2: changes of state and kinetic theory

3. The next graphic shows the changes of state when you cool down a substance. Mark
the three states of matter on the graphic and write the melting and the boiling point of
this substance. What substance is it?

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Unit 1: Matter Photocopy 2: changes of state and kinetic theory

Kinetic molecular theory

This theory attempts to explain the properties of solid, liquid and gases. It has got
several statements:
All matter is made of tiny particles (these tiny particles are either atoms or
molecules) in constant motion.
Their motion increases as they gain energy. Higher temperature implies higher
motion.
These particles are joined by cohesion forces.

Solids are formed by particles which are arranged in a periodic and ordered
structure known as crystal. Each particle is as close to the others as possible and
is placed at the same distance of everyone. As the distance between particles is
the shortest, the attractive interaction is great, so these particles cannot leave its
place in the crystal nor become closer to their neighbours. Thats why solids
have a permanent shape and are incompressible. However this structure allows
the particles to vibrate in different directions. As temperature increases, this
motion becomes faster and the average distance between them increases as well.
This is the reason of its thermal dilation. As a solid is heated, it reaches to a
point where the average of kinetic energy (the energy due to the vibration of
particles) of its particles equals to the amount of attractive interactions among
them so the particles can leave their own places in the crystal and move to
different locations. This is the moment when the change of state to liquid is
produced.
Liquids are formed by particles which are relatively close, but they are free to
move from a position to another one. As the particles are continuously moving,
the shape of a liquid can change, which explains that liquid conforms to the
shape of its container. Although its motion, particles in a liquid are very close to
the others and they are still attracted very tightly so they are incompressible and
as one of them go out, the others follow the first and the liquid flows as a whole
set. When a liquid is heated, it reaches to a point where the kinetic energy of its
particles is greater than the attractive interactions, so particles start to scape from
the liquid and the liquids become gases.
Gases are formed by particles which are far away from the others, so there is

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Unit 1: Matter Photocopy 2: changes of state and kinetic theory

almost no attractive interaction amongst them. They are moving very fast in
straight lines, colliding with other particles and with the walls of the container.
Thats why gases can fill up the whole volume of their container or even they
can scape if the container is not closed. As the average distance between the
particles is great compared to their own size, they can approach and remain
closer when they are forced by pressure, so gases are compressible. We can
explain the thermal dilation if we remember that kinetic energy of the particles
depends on temperature. As we heat a gas, its particles will move faster and the
average distance between them will be increased.
4. Circle the correct statement in the table:
Property Solid Liquid Gas

Shape Fixed/ Fixed/ Fixed/

Same as container Same as container Same as container

Volume Defined/ Defined/ Defined/

Fills entire container Fills entire container Fills entire container

Ability to flow Yes/ Yes/ Yes/

No No No

Can be compressed? Yes/ Yes/ Yes/

Very slightly Very slightly Very slightly

Dilate with temperature Yes/ Yes/ Yes/

No No No

Density High/ High/ High/

Low Low Low
5. Complete the following sentences:
a) Water has a melting point of 0C and a boiling point of 100C. The state of
aggregation of water at -30C is .................................... The state of aggregation
of water at 130 C is............................. The state of aggregation of water at 20 C
is.............................
b) Melting temperature of copper is 1085 C. The state of aggregation of copper
at 10C is ........................ The state of aggregation of copper at 500C is
........................................... The state of aggregation of copper at 1500 C is
..............................................
c) Iodine has a melting point of 113.7 C and a boiling point of 184.3 C. At 250
C its state of aggregation is .......................................... At 125 C its state of
aggregation is ..................
At 25 C its state of aggregation is ........................................
d) Carbon dioxide has a boiling point of -57 C. At 15 C it is in
.................................. state.

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Unit 1: Matter Photocopy 2: changes of state and kinetic theory

6. Match the states of matter with the suitable statements:

Solid Fixed volume Separated particles
Determined shape Particles vibrating around a fixed
position
Can be compressed Joined particles
Liquid Variable shape Particles ordered in fixed positions
High density Joined but displacing particles
Low density Strong attraction forces
Gas Can flow Medium attraction forces
Impossible flowing Extremely low forces
Variable volume