NowComment
2-Pane Combined
Comments:
Full Summaries Sorted

3 States of Matter

3 Most Common States of Matter

Gases, liquids and solids are all made up of microscopic particles, but the behaviors of these particles differ in the three phases. Look below to see how the molecules move and are arranged differently in the three most common states of matter.

Gas Molecules Liquid Molecules Solid Molecules

Microscopic view of a gas Microscopic view of a liquid. Microscopic view of a solid.

  • Particles in a:
    • gas are well separated with no regular arrangement.
    • liquid are close together with no regular arrangement.
    • solid are tightly packed, usually in a regular pattern.
  • Particles in a:
    • gas vibrate and move freely at high speeds.
    • liquid vibrate, move about, and slide past each other.
    • solid vibrate (jiggle) but generally do not move from place to place.

The following table summarizes properties of gases, liquids, and solids and identifies the microscopic behavior responsible for each property.

Some Characteristics of Gases, Liquids and Solids and the Microscopic Explanation for the Behavior
gas liquid solid
assumes the shape and volume of its container
particles can move past one another
assumes the shape of the part of the container which it occupies
particles can move/slide past one another
retains a fixed volume and shape
rigid - particles locked into place
compressible
lots of free space between particles
not easily compressible
little free space between particles
not easily compressible
little free space between particles
flows easily
particles can move past one another
flows easily
particles can move/slide past one another
does not flow easily
rigid - particles cannot move/slide past one another

DMU Timestamp: October 25, 2016 14:13





Image
0 comments, 0 areas
add area
add comment
change display
Video
add comment

Quickstart: Commenting and Sharing

How to Comment
  • Click icons on the left to see existing comments.
  • Desktop/Laptop: double-click any text, highlight a section of an image, or add a comment while a video is playing to start a new conversation.
    Tablet/Phone: single click then click on the "Start One" link (look right or below).
  • Click "Reply" on a comment to join the conversation.
How to Share Documents
  1. "Upload" a new document.
  2. "Invite" others to it.

Logging in, please wait... Blue_on_grey_spinner