1.4.3

States of Matter

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States of Matter

Matter is all around us. Anything which has mass and takes up space can be called matter. This includes solids, liquids, and even gasses. Matter can move between these different states and each has its own properties.

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Solids

  • Solids tend to form at lower temperatures.
  • Solids have a defined shape and do not mold to the shape of their container.
  • The movement of particles in a solid is very limited.
  • The way particles pack together in a solid, influences the shape and properties of the solid.
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Liquids

  • Liquids are fluid and take the shape of their container.
  • The surface of a liquid will naturally be flat.
  • Liquid particles are closely associated but can move more freely than in solids.
  • The properties of the liquid depend on the intermolecular interactions (e.g. hydrogen bonds, polar interactions, etc.) or on the environment (e.g temperature).
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Gasses

  • Gasses do not have a defined shape or volume.
  • The spacing between particles is far larger than in solids or liquids.
  • The particles in a gas are constantly in motion and form relatively infrequent and weak interactions with each other.
  • The volume of a gas is dependent on external factors such as temperature and pressure.
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Molar volume

  • Molar volume is the volume occupied by one mole of substance at a certain temperature and pressure.
  • Solids and liquids have similar molar volumes because their particles are held close together and the distance between particles cannot vary by large amounts.
  • Gas particles can move very independently of each other and are not closely associated.
    • The molar volume of a gas is determined, to a large extent, by temperature and pressure.
    • At STP, the molar volume of a gas is 24 dm3.

Solids

The structure of a solid depends on its composition and the freezing process.

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Crystalline solids

  • Crystalline solids have particles that are arranged in an ordered, repeating formation.
  • Small particles tend to form ordered, crystalline solids.
  • Examples of crystalline solids include ionic and metallic latices.
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Amorphous solids

  • Amorphous solids have tightly associated particles which are not well-ordered.
  • Amorphous solids tend to form when:
    • freezing occurs rapidly and particles do not have time to order.
    • there are large particles or impurities which disrupt the regular arrangement of particles.
  • There are many examples of these from large hydrocarbon solids, such as wax, to molecular solids such as silicon dioxide (under certain conditions).

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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