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STATES OF MATTER NOTES

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 Chemistry is the study of matter and how matter changes from one form to another. Matter can
be defined as anything that has mass and occupies space.
 Matter can exist in three distinct states – solid, liquid and gas.

Properties of the States of Matter

Property Solid Liquid Gas

Shape Has a fixed shape Takes the shape of Takes the shape of
the container the container
Volume Fixed volume Fixed/constant It is not constant
volume
Arrangement of The particles are The particles are The particles are
Particles arranged in a pattern randomly arranged randomly arranged
and very close with small distances with large distances
together between them. between them.
Forces of Attraction Strong forces Weak forces Very weak forces
Movement The particles can The particles can The particles can
remain in fixed move small distances move to far distances
positions and vibrate from each other from each other.

Change of State

 Melting: Particles in a solid vibrate more vigorously when matter is heated until the vibrations
become violent such that the forces of attraction no longer holds the particles together within

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 the solid’s structure. This leads to melting of the solid which occurs at a point called the
melting point. At this point, the phase changes from solid to liquid at a constant temperature.
 Evaporation: When a liquid is heated, the particles begin to move faster but at different
speeds. The particles continually collide with one another and occasionally, one particle
obtains sufficient energy to break free from the surface of the liquid. This is known as
evaporation. The rate of evaporation depends on:
 The nature of the liquid
 Temperature
 The amount of exposed surface, i.e. the larger the exposed surface, the greater the
rate of evaporation.
 Boiling: A process whereby a liquid is freely converted to a gas or vapour. Unlike evaporation,
boiling takes place throughout the liquid and at one particular temperature. When a liquid is
heated, it eventually reaches its boiling point which is the temperature at which the liquid is
converted to a vapour or gas. The heat energy supplied at the boiling point is used to separate
the particles from each other so that they can enter the gaseous state.
 Examples of Sublimation: Dry Ice (Solid Carbon Dioxide); Camphor; Ammonium Chloride

 All forms of matter are made up of small particles which are in a constant state of motion.
There are three pieces of evidence which support this statement:
 Diffusion
 Osmosis
 Brownian Motion

Diffusion
 Diffusion is the movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of
low concentration until the particles are evenly distributed. Diffusion takes place in both
liquids and gases.
 The diffusion of chemicals into the air or water is evidence that substances are made of smaller
particles.
 Example: If someone spills a bottle of ammonia at the front of the laboratory, the ammonia
vapour will rapidly spread out to fill the room and the smell will become evident throughout
the room.

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 The rate at which a gas diffuses depends on its mass; a lighter gas diffuses faster than a heavy
gas. Consider the experiment below between hydrogen chloride gas and ammonia gas.

 A piece of cotton wool is soaked in hydrochloric acid (HCl) and inserted into the glass tube
at the 0 cm mark. This end is immediately stoppered.
 A piece of cotton wool is dipped into ammonia (NH3) solution and placed at the 100 cm mark
of the glass tube. This end is also immediately stoppered.
 The tube is then mounted and kept in a horizontal position.

Result

 After sometime, a white band of solid appears at the 33 cm mark showing that the HCl
travels 33 cm. In the same time, the NH3 travels 67 cm.
 This experiment confirms diffusion takes place from an area of high concentration to an area
of low concentration.
 It also shows that a light gas diffuses faster than a heavy gas. In this case, the less dense gas
(NH3) travelled faster than the more dense gas (HCl). The white fumes are formed as a result
of reaction between gaseous ammonia and gaseous hydrogen chloride particles as illustrated
below.
𝑁𝐻3 (𝑔) + 𝐻𝐶𝑙(𝑔) → 𝑁𝐻4 𝐶𝑙(𝑠)

Where NH4Cl = ammonium chloride

Diffusion also takes place in a liquid. It occurs more smoothly in the liquid than in the gas.

In the human body, diffusion also takes place. Two examples of this are:

1. Oxygen gas (O2) diffuses from the lungs into the blood stream
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) diffuses from the blood into the lungs.

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 Osmosis
 Osmosis is the movement of water from an area where it is present in a high concentration to
an area of low concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
 A semi-permeable membrane contains pores which are small enough to allow for the
movement of water particles whilst restricting the movement of other particles.
 Osmosis shows that matter is made up of small particles.

Uses of Osmosis
 In the control of pests such as snails and slugs. Common salt can be thrown on their bodies.
The bodies will lose water by osmosis. These organisms will dehydrate and then die.
 In the preservation of food, common salt and sugar can be used. The addition of these
substances will cause the food to lose water by osmosis. Harmful micro-organisms such as
bacteria and fungi will become less effective and hence, the food will last for longer periods.

Brownian Motion
 Brownian motion confirms that the particles which make up matter are moving in a random,
irregular manner.
 This can be observed by the haphazard movements of particles when a beam of light passes
through dust particles in a darkened room.