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Structure of Solids, Liquids & Gases

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Structure of Solids, Liquids and Gases

Solids, liquids, and gases have different particle arrangements, separations, and motions.

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Structure of solids

  • Solids have particles closely packed in a fixed, orderly pattern.
    • Particles vibrate around fixed positions but do not move freely.
    • This arrangement makes solids rigid and keeps a fixed shape and volume.
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Structure of liquids

  • Liquid particles are close but not in fixed positions, allowing them to move past one another.
    • Particles are less orderly than solids and have more space between them.
    • Particles move constantly, which lets liquids flow and take the shape of their container.
  • Discoveries about liquids advanced in the 19th century with the study of fluid dynamics.
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Structure of gases

  • Gas particles are far apart and move randomly at high speeds.
    • Particles fill any container completely, spreading out evenly.
    • Gases have no fixed shape or volume because particles are free to move widely.
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Comparison of states

  • Solids have tightly packed, fixed particles.
  • Liquids have close but mobile particles.
  • Gases have widely spaced, fast-moving particles.
    • Solids keep shape and volume.
    • Liquids keep volume but change shape.
    • Gases change both shape and volume.
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Particle motion summary

  • Particle motion increases from solids to liquids to gases.
    • Solids vibrate in place.
    • Liquids slide past each other.
    • Gases move freely at high speed.
  • Particle arrangement and motion explain the properties of each state of matter.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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