States of Matter and Particle Theory

This page introduces the three states of matter - solids, liquids, and gases - and explains their properties using particle theory in states of matter. It describes how particles behave in each state and how their arrangement affects the physical properties of substances.

Definition: Particle theory considers each particle as a small, solid, inelastic sphere and explains how these particles behave in different states of matter.

Solids have the highest density, followed by liquids, and then gases. In solids, particles are held together by strong forces of attraction in a fixed position, giving them a definite shape and volume. When heated, solid particles vibrate more until they reach the melting point and become a liquid.

Vocabulary: Melting point is the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid.

Liquids have weaker forces of attraction between particles, allowing them to move around while maintaining a definite volume. Heating a liquid weakens these forces further, causing particles to move faster until they reach the boiling point and evaporate into a gas.

Vocabulary: Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas.

Gases have very weak forces of attraction between particles, allowing them to move freely without a definite shape or volume. Heating a gas causes particles to gain more energy and expand.

Specific Latent Heat

This page introduces the concept of specific latent heat of vaporisation and fusion, explaining how it relates to changes in states of matter.

Definition: Specific latent heat is the energy required to change 1 kg of a particular substance from one state to another, without changing its temperature.

There are two types of specific latent heat:

1. Specific latent heat of vaporisation: The energy change when a substance changes between a liquid and a gas.
2. Specific latent heat of fusion: The energy change when a substance changes between a solid and a liquid.

The equation for specific latent heat is:

Energy (J) = mass (kg) x specific latent heat (J/kg)

Highlight: During boiling, heat energy is used to break the forces holding the particles together, causing a change in state from liquid to gas without a change in temperature.

Example: To calculate the energy required to boil 2 kg of water, given that the specific latent heat of vaporisation for water is 2,260,000 J/kg: Energy = 2 kg x 2,260,000 J/kg = 4,520,000 J or 4.52 MJ

Gas Pressure and Particle Behavior

This page discusses gas particle behavior and factors affecting gas pressure in a container.

Gas particles move randomly in a container, colliding with other particles and the container walls. The formula for pressure is:

Pressure = Force / Area

Factors that can increase gas pressure include:

1. Temperature: Higher temperature leads to faster-moving particles and more collisions with the container walls, increasing pressure.

2. Concentration: More particles in the same volume result in more collisions and higher pressure.

3. Volume: As the volume of the container decreases, pressure increases due to more frequent collisions with the walls.

Highlight: Understanding gas pressure is crucial for many applications in physics and engineering, from weather prediction to the design of pressurized systems.

Example: In a car tire, as the temperature increases on a hot day, the air particles inside move faster and collide more frequently with the tire walls, increasing the tire pressure.