States of Matter and Their Properties
What are the three common states of matter?
The three common states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas.
Define melting and explain what happens to the particles during this process.
Melting is when a solid turns into a liquid because it gets hotter. The particles in the solid start moving faster and break free from their fixed positions.
What is a pure substance? Give an example
A pure substance is something made of only one type of thing. Example:H₂O
What is a mechanical mixture? Give an example.
A mechanical mixture is a type of heterogeneous mixture where the different components are easily visible and separable. Example: A salad.
Describe the arrangement and movement of particles in a solid.
In a solid, particles are tightly packed in a fixed arrangement. They vibrate in place but do not move around.
Define freezing and explain what happens to the particles during this process.
Freezing is when a liquid turns into a solid because it gets colder. The particles in the liquid slow down and stick together in a fixed pattern.
What is a mixture? How does it differ from a pure substance?
A mixture is when you mix two or more things together, but they don't change chemically. A pure substance is made of only one thing.
What is a solution? How does it differ from a mechanical mixture?
Solution = evenly mixed, can't see the parts, won't separate. Mechanical mixture = unevenly mixed, can see the parts, can separate.
Describe the arrangement and movement of particles in a liquid.
In a liquid, particles are close together but not in a fixed arrangement. They can move around and slide past each other.
Define evaporation and explain what happens to the particles during this process.
Evaporation is when a liquid turns into a gas because some particles gain enough energy to escape from the surface.
What is an element? Give an example.
An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. It is made up of only one type of atom. Example: Gold (Au) is an element.
Can you easily see the different parts in a mechanical mixture?
Yes, you can easily see the different parts in a mechanical mixture.
Describe the arrangement and movement of particles in a gas.
In a gas, particles are widely spaced and move randomly at high speeds. They have no fixed arrangement and can move freely.
Define condensation and explain what happens to the particles during this process.
Condensation is when a gas turns into a liquid. The gas particles slow down and come closer together to form a liquid.
What is a compound? Give an example.
A compound is a substance made when two or more elements chemically join together. Example: Salt (NaCl) is a compound made of sodium and chlorine.
Why is it easier to separate the components of a mechanical mixture compared to a solution?
Mechanical mixtures are easier to separate because you can see the different parts. Solutions are mixed at a tiny, molecular level.
How does the particle theory of matter explain the differences between solids, liquids, and gases?
The particle theory explains that solids have a fixed shape and volume because their particles are tightly packed with strong forces between them. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container because particles are close but can move around. Gases expand to fill the available volume because their particles are widely spaced with weak forces between them.
Define sublimation and explain what happens to the particles during this process.
Sublimation is when a solid turns directly into a gas. The particles gain enough energy to break free from the solid.
What is the difference between a homogeneous and a heterogeneous mixture?
Homogeneous = evenly mixed, can't see the parts. Heterogeneous = unevenly mixed, can see the parts.
Give an example of a mechanical mixture where the different components are not all solids.
Cereal with milk in a bowl is a mechanical mixture. You can easily see the cereal pieces and the milk as separate components.