S1 New Curriculum chemistry
Theme: Mechanics and properties of matter
Chapter 3 – States of matter
Matter
Matter is anything that occupies space and has weight. Matter is made up of particles that
are too small. These tiny particles cannot be seen by the naked eye. The tiny particles are
called molecules. The molecules consist of more tiny particles called atoms.
Atoms are made of small particles called protons, electrons and neutrons
Examples are stone, clouds, water etc.
There are majorly four states of matter
(i) Solids e.g. chairs, tables, stone wall etc. Here the molecules are closely packed
together and are vibrating within fixed positions, but are not free to move due to
the strong forces of attraction between the molecules. Solid state has a definite
shape and volume.
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(ii) Liquids e.g. water, paraffin, cooking oil. In liquids, molecules are further apart
compared to solids. The particles are free to move and are in constant random
motion but within the surface of the liquid. The forces of attraction between the
particles are weaker compared to solid state. Liquids take up the shape of the
container in which they are put. So liquids do not have a definite shape but have
definite volume.
(iii) Gas e.g. air. The particles are much further apart compared to liquids and solids.
These particles can move independently and at a high speed compared to solids
and liquids. The intermolecular forces of attraction are almost negligible. Gases
have no particular shape and volume.
(iv) Plasma: it is made of gaseous positive ions and electrons only at very high
temperatures. That is, plasma is an ionized gas, a good conductor of electricity
with indefinite shape and indefinite volume.
Summary table
Properties Solid Liquid Gas Plasma
Distance of Least Closer Large Largest
separation
Intermolecular Strongest Strong Weak weakest
forces
Potential energy Highest Low Lower Lowest
Kinetic energy Lowest High Higher Highest
Effect of heat on matter
(a) Increases the speed of movement of particle or kinetic energy of particles
(b) Lead to change from solid to liquid to gas and finally to plasma.
When a solid is heated, the particles gain kinetic energy and turns into a liquid by a process
called melting or into a gas by the process called sublimation.
Heating a liquid turns it into a gas by the process called evaporation.
Cooling a gas turns into a solid by the process of sublimation or into a liquid by
condensation and a liquid turns into a solid by freezing or solidification.
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Note that melting/solidification and boiling/condensing occur at constant temperatures.
The characteristic heating and cooling curves are shown below;
The cooling effect of evaporation
Evaporation causes cooling because it removes heat from a surface or substance i.e.
Energy Absorption: When a liquid evaporates, its molecules gain energy from their
surroundings to escape into the air as vapor.
Loss of High-Energy Molecules: The fastest-moving (hottest) molecules leave first,
reducing the average energy of the remaining liquid.
Lower Temperature: With fewer high-energy molecules, the temperature of the
liquid and the surface it touches drops.
Uses of evaporation in daily life
(i) Wet clothes dry due to evaporation
(ii) Preservation of food such as fish by drying is through evaporation
(iii) Sweating causes cooling through evaporation of sweat from the skin.
(iv) Rain forms through a process of evaporation.
(v) Distillation is used for production of alcohols
Evidences for the motion of particles in matter
1. Diffusion of gases.
This is the movement of particles from areas of high concentrating to a region of low
concentration. For instance, when a person wearing a perfume enters a room, the
whole room is filled by the scent.
Factors that affect the rate of diffusion
The rate of diffusion depends on several factors that influence how fast particles
move and spread.
(a) Temperature
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Higher temperature → Faster diffusion because heat gives particles more kinetic
energy, making them move and spread more quickly.
(b) Concentration Gradient
Greater difference in concentration → Faster diffusion because the larger the
gap between high and low concentration areas, the stronger the driving force for
diffusion.
(c) Surface Area
Larger surface area → Faster diffusion because more space allows more
particles to move across at the same time, speeding up the process.
(d) Particle Size (Molecular Mass)
Smaller, lighter particles → Faster diffusion because heavier molecules move
more slowly because they require more energy.
(e) Diffusion Medium
Gases diffuse faster than liquids, and liquids diffuse faster than solids. In gases,
particles are widely spaced and move freely, while in liquids and solids, they
experience more resistance.
(f) Distance of Diffusion
Shorter distance → Faster diffusion because the shorter the distance molecules
need to travel, the quicker they reach equilibrium.
(g) Nature of the Membrane (for Biological Diffusion)
More permeable membranes → Faster diffusion. For instance, biological
membranes that have pores allow easier passage of certain molecules.
Experiment to demonstrate diffusion
When a drop is potassium permanaganate solution is dropped slowly in calm water it quickly
spreads causing all water to turn pink
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2. Brownian motion
This is the random movement of smoke particles in a glass cell as seen through a
microscope.
Explanation
Air particles are in random movement; these collide with smoke particles and cause
them to move randomly.
When temperature is increased, the kinetic energy of the air particles increase which
increases the speed of smoke particles.
The Brownian motion can be observed by the dust particles through light rays i
3. Presence and movement of particles in liquids is demonstrated by diffusion of purple
permanganate color in water
Revision question
1. What is matter
2. List states of matter
3. How can we show that matter is made of particles?
4. Arranges the states of matter starting from the state with least energy.
5. In terms of kinetic theory, explain condensation and melting.
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Dr. Bbosa Science
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