Unit 2: Materials and their
structure.
Characteristics of matter
Solid Liquid Gas
Can keep shape for Can take the shape of Can fill any closed
example: Table, chair, the container they are container.
computer. in. They are very easy to
Cannot be compressed Liquid can be poured. be compressed.
or poured. Liquid can’t be They weigh very little.
compressed.
Particles of matter
Solid Liquid Gas
Very packed together Not so packed Do not touch each
Vibrating but never Can move other
moves. Can change shape. Far apart
Stay at the same Particles still touch each Can move freely
place. other. Can fill up any
container.
Can change shape.
Questions
1. What are the three states of matter?
2. Which state of matter can be compressed (squashed) easily?
3. Which state of matter cannot be poured?
4. List the properties of solids.
5. Name a property of liquids that they do not share with solids.
6. Name a property of gases that they share with liquids.
7. Name a property of gases that they do not share with solids or liquids.
Answers
1. Solid, liquid and gas.
2. Gas.
3. Solid.
4. Cannot be compressed or poured and have a fixed volume and shape.
5. Liquids can be poured but solids can’t.
6. Gases and liquids can be poured.
7. Gases can be compressed but solids can’t.
How liquid affects solid
1. Erosion
2. Corrosion
Erosion happens over long, long periods of time. The water takes some particles from solid
to flow with the water. Over millions of years, the solid will wear down and become smaller.
But corrosion happens when very acidic substances contact with solid (example acid and
sponge) and the solid wears away very quickly.
Attraction forces for the types of matter
Solids
For solids, we know that the particles are very close together. The reason that solid particles are very
close together is because of the attractive forces. Attractive forces attract the particles together and
it will stop the particles from moving around. That’s why solids cannot flow.
Liquids
We know that the volume in liquid cannot be changed. But they as close together like solid. The
particles can touch and move past each other. Liquid can flow due to the attractive forces because
the attractive forces are weak. The forces are weak enough to let them move but strong enough to
keep them in place.
Gas
In gases, there are NO attractive forces. That’s why a gas has no fixed shape and no fixed volume.
What is a vacuum?
A vacuum is a space of no particles, in that area. Absolutely nothing. Even in between the space in
gas particles.
Questions
1. Use particle theory to explain how a sponge can be a solid, but it can also be compressed.
2. How well does particle theory explain the properties of solids, liquids and gases?
3. What are the strengths of the particle theory?
4. What are the weaknesses of the particle theory?
Scientists observe the world around them and think carefully about what they see.
Development of the particle theory was based on the observations that scientists made
about how solids, liquids and gases behave.
Scientists saw that most solids cannot be compressed. Can you think of any solids that
do not fit the rules of particle theory? Think about the properties of a sponge or
a marshmallow. Can a sponge be compressed?
1. The sponge is not in a complete solid form. There are holes inside it. If it has holes, other
particles can change its shape, such as liquid with sponges. The liquid will be passed through.
Liquid can flow and change shape due to weak attractive forces. This is how a sponge can be
compressed.
2. For solids, the particles vibrate and it has a strong attractive force. The particles hardly move
and are tightly packed. For liquids, the particles vibrate more strongly than on a solid. The
attractive force is weak. The particles can move but are strongly packed; but not as much as
in a solid. It has a fixed volume but no fixed shape. It can flow and cannot be compressed.
For gas, the particles vibrate strongly and has no attractive force. The particles move freely
and randomly. The particles are loosely packed. It has no fixed volume or shape, and can flow
and be compressed.
3. It describes and shows the particles in words clearly.
4. It doesn’t talk about solids which behave like liquids.
