States of Matter - Nature Of Matter, Solids, Liquids, Boiling, Gases, Plasma

States of Matter - Nature Of Matter

All matter is composed of very small, discrete particles, either atoms, ions, or molecules. The nature of a particular substance depends on the type and arrangement of the atoms within the molecule. It is possible for these particles to assume different arrangements in space. For example, they can be arranged close together or far apart. They can be neat and orderly or random and disordered. Since…

States of Matter - Solids

Matter is said to be in the solid state when it is rigid, that is, when it retains a definite shape and volume against the pull of gravity. Strong attractive forces exist among the particles that make up solids, causing them to position themselves close together in an orderly and definite arrangement in space. Their motion consists mainly of vibrating in a fixed position so the shape and the volum…

States of Matter - Liquids

The change from solid to liquid is a physical rather than chemical change because no chemical bonds have been broken. The individual particles—atoms, ions, or molecules—that made up the solid are the same individual particles that make up the liquid. What does change is the arrangement of the particles. In the liquid, the particles are at a higher temperature, having more energy than…

States of Matter - Boiling

As the temperature of a liquid is increased, the particles gain more energy and move faster and faster. Jostling about and colliding increases until eventually the particles at the surface gain enough energy to overcome the attractive forces from their neighbors and break away into the surrounding space. At this point, the liquid is becoming a gas (also called a vapor). The temperature at which th…

States of Matter - Gases

States of Matter - Plasma

Plasmas are considered by some to be the fourth phase of matter. They are closely related to gases. In a plasma, the particles are neither atoms nor molecules, but electrons and positive ions. Plasmas can be formed at very high temperatures-high enough to ionize (remove electrons from) the atoms. The resulting electrons and positive ions can then move freely, like the particles in a gas. Although …