1. What did you observe about how particle motion changes from solid to gas? 2. Why do you think gases take the shape and volume of their container? 3. How does temperature affect the motion of particles in each state?
Answer (1)
What did you observe about how particle motion changes from solid to gas?
In a solid, particles are closely packed together in a fixed arrangement and can only vibrate in place. This limited motion is due to strong intermolecular forces that hold the particles tightly in place. As a substance is heated and transitions to a liquid, the particles gain energy and move more freely, though they still remain close to each other. In the gaseous state, particles have enough energy to overcome the attractive forces between them, allowing them to move independently and occupy much more space.
Why do you think gases take the shape and volume of their container?
Gases take the shape and volume of their container because the particles in a gas move freely and are spread far apart compared to solids and liquids. This free movement means that gas particles will expand to fill any container they are placed in, adopting both its shape and volume. The lack of significant intermolecular forces allows gases to behave in this manner.
How does temperature affect the motion of particles in each state?
Temperature is directly related to the kinetic energy of particles. In a solid, increasing the temperature causes particles to vibrate more vigorously. In a liquid, higher temperatures result in faster movement of particles, which can lead to the substance changing to a gaseous state if the temperature is sufficiently high. For gases, as temperature increases, particle speed increases, causing gas pressure to increase if the volume of the container is fixed. Conversely, lowering the temperature reduces particle movement across all states. By understanding how temperature affects each state, we can predict behavior like melting, boiling, and condensation.
