States of Matter & Particle Model
What are the three main states of matter?
Solid, liquid, gas
What is the process called when a solid turns into a liquid?
Melting
What is the formula for density?
Density = mass ÷ volume
What is pressure?
Force per unit area (or force spread over an area)
What does viscosity measure?
How thick or runny a liquid is (its resistance to flow)
In which state of matter are the particles packed tightly together and only able to vibrate slightly?
Solid
What is the process called when a liquid turns into a gas?
Evaporation or boiling
Why does ice float on water?
Because ice is less dense than liquid water
What happens to the pressure in a liquid as you go deeper?
It increases
Which is more viscous — honey or water?
Honey
Which state of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape?
Liquid
What is the process called when a gas turns into a liquid?
Condensation
Which is denser — a piece of wood or a piece of metal of the same size?
Metal (in most common cases)
Why do dams have thicker walls at the bottom than at the top?
Because water pressure is greater at the bottom
What usually happens to the viscosity of a liquid when it is heated?
It decreases (the liquid becomes runnier)
Which state of matter can be compressed the most easily?
Gas
What is sublimation?
When a solid turns directly into a gas (without becoming a liquid first)
If an object has a density lower than the liquid it is placed in, what will it do?
Float
What instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure?
A barometer
Why does syrup pour more slowly than water?
Because it has higher resistance to flow
What is the fourth state of matter that exists at extremely high temperatures (such as in the Sun)?
Plasma
What is the name of the temperature at which a liquid turns into a solid?
Freezing point
Why does a steel ship float even though steel is denser than water?
If you increase the area over which a force is applied, what happens to the pressure?
The pressure decreases
Name one everyday example of a liquid with very high viscosity.
Honey, treacle, motor oil, or lava (any one is acceptable)