4.1
Introduction
to using kinetic
particle theory to explain the structure and physical properties of the three states of matter
The particle model has been developed to explain the
properties of the three states of matter, namely gas, liquid and solid.
The particle model also provides a way of describing the
changes of state between a gas, liquid and the solid state of a material.
To change the state of a material requires either the
input of heat or the removal of heat from the material and this is called the
latent heat. and consider
the concept of internal energy.
The 'model' particle pictures below give you an idea of how the
states of matter (gas, liquid and solid) are viewed when applying the theoretical ideas
to explain how the three states of matter behave, especially when subjected to a
change in temperature.
You should be able to recognise
simple diagrams to model the difference between solids, liquids and gases
- the three states of matter.
Gases: There are almost
no forces of attraction between gas particles, they have the most kinetic
energy of the three states, the particles are completely free to move around
at random and they move at high speeds in all directions - so they have a
higher kinetic energy store than liquids. The free moving
particles have kinetic energy of movement and there is much empty space
between the particles.
The thermal energy store of a gas is mainly the kinetic
energy of particle movement.
Liquids: There are weak
forces of attraction between liquid particles (if there wasn't, you couldn't
have a liquid!), the particles are relatively close together but free to
move around at random but with lower speeds than in the gas. The free moving
particles still have kinetic energy of movement from one place to another.
The thermal energy store of a liquid is mainly the
kinetic energy of particle movement.
Solids: In solids there
are stronger forces of attraction between the particles which prevents the
particles moving around and passing each other. The particles are held in
fixed positions in a regular arrangement. Their even lower kinetic energy is
due to the particles (atoms or molecules) vibrating around their mean or
average positions in the crystal structure. So solid particles have virtually no movement kinetic energy
in their thermal energy store in terms of movement
from one place to another, as in the case of gases or liquids.
The thermal energy store of a solid is mainly the kinetic
energy of particle vibration.
See also
The density of materials and the particle model of matter
and
See
also the GCSE level chemistry notes on the states of matter
INDEX of notes on Particle model theory
state changes and latent heat
Keywords, phrases and learning objectives for particle models and
thermal energy stores
Be able to use the
kinetic particle theory to explain thermal energy store properties of
the three states of matter.
Be able to describe the thermal energy store of a gas, liquid or a
solid.
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INDEX of notes on Particle model theory
state changes and latent heat
