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Understanding Changes of State and Matter for GCSE Physics

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Libby

07/12/2025

Physics

Changes of state and states of matter

121

7 Dec 2025

2 pages

Understanding Changes of State and Matter for GCSE Physics

Understanding how matter behaves in different states is crucial for... Show more

# Changes of state and states of matter

Changes of state and the conservation of mass
CHANGES OF STATE ARE PHYSICAL CHANGES BECAUSE NO NEW

Changes of State and Conservation of Mass

Here's something brilliant about changes of state - they're completely reversible! When ice melts or water boils, you're witnessing physical changes where no new substances form. The water molecules remain exactly the same whether they're solid, liquid, or gas.

The conservation of mass principle means the total mass never changes during state changes. This happens because the actual number of particles stays constant - they just rearrange themselves differently.

Gas particles are the ultimate free spirits of the particle world. They're spread out with massive gaps between them and almost no forces holding them together. This gives gases their signature properties: no fixed volume or shape, low density, and the ability to be compressed.

Quick Tip: Remember that gas particles move randomly at high speed - imagine a room full of bouncing balls that never stop moving!

# Changes of state and states of matter

Changes of state and the conservation of mass
CHANGES OF STATE ARE PHYSICAL CHANGES BECAUSE NO NEW

Liquid, Solid Properties and Particle Energy

Liquid particles strike a balance between freedom and structure. They're in contact with each other but can still move around randomly. This gives liquids their fixed volume but allows them to flow and take the shape of their container.

Solid particles are locked in place by strong forces of attraction. They can only vibrate about their fixed positions, which explains why solids have both fixed volume and fixed shape along with high density.

Kinetic energy is the key to understanding state changes. When you increase temperature, particles gain more kinetic energy and move faster. Add enough energy, and you'll trigger a state change - solid to liquid to gas.

The density formula ρ=m/vρ = m/v helps you calculate how tightly packed particles are in different states. Solids typically have the highest density, whilst gases have the lowest.

Exam Success: Practice using the density formula with different units - it's a common exam question that's easy marks once you've got the hang of it!



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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Physics

121

7 Dec 2025

2 pages

Understanding Changes of State and Matter for GCSE Physics

Understanding how matter behaves in different states is crucial for your GCSE Physics exam. You'll discover how particles move differently in solids, liquids, and gases, and why these changes happen when you heat or cool substances.

# Changes of state and states of matter

Changes of state and the conservation of mass
CHANGES OF STATE ARE PHYSICAL CHANGES BECAUSE NO NEW

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Changes of State and Conservation of Mass

Here's something brilliant about changes of state - they're completely reversible! When ice melts or water boils, you're witnessing physical changes where no new substances form. The water molecules remain exactly the same whether they're solid, liquid, or gas.

The conservation of mass principle means the total mass never changes during state changes. This happens because the actual number of particles stays constant - they just rearrange themselves differently.

Gas particles are the ultimate free spirits of the particle world. They're spread out with massive gaps between them and almost no forces holding them together. This gives gases their signature properties: no fixed volume or shape, low density, and the ability to be compressed.

Quick Tip: Remember that gas particles move randomly at high speed - imagine a room full of bouncing balls that never stop moving!

# Changes of state and states of matter

Changes of state and the conservation of mass
CHANGES OF STATE ARE PHYSICAL CHANGES BECAUSE NO NEW

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

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Improve your grades

Join milions of students

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Liquid, Solid Properties and Particle Energy

Liquid particles strike a balance between freedom and structure. They're in contact with each other but can still move around randomly. This gives liquids their fixed volume but allows them to flow and take the shape of their container.

Solid particles are locked in place by strong forces of attraction. They can only vibrate about their fixed positions, which explains why solids have both fixed volume and fixed shape along with high density.

Kinetic energy is the key to understanding state changes. When you increase temperature, particles gain more kinetic energy and move faster. Add enough energy, and you'll trigger a state change - solid to liquid to gas.

The density formula ρ=m/vρ = m/v helps you calculate how tightly packed particles are in different states. Solids typically have the highest density, whilst gases have the lowest.

Exam Success: Practice using the density formula with different units - it's a common exam question that's easy marks once you've got the hang of it!

We thought you’d never ask...

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Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user