Solids, Liquids and Gases

Objectives

• Be able to describe the differences between the arrangement of the particles in solids, liquids and gases.

• Use these concepts to explain the behaviour of materials undergoing heating in a variety of contexts

Task 1

Watch this clip, which explains about the particle arrangements in a solid, a liquid and a gas. The properties and energy of the three states of matter are explained.

Task 2

Your teacher will give you a worksheet with the diagrams and table below:

Complete the table using the following words:

very weak, strong, low, weak, high, moderate

Answer:

Task 3

Thermometers work because the spacing of the particles changes as the liquid inside is heated or cooled.  This animation will show you how the behaviour of the particles changes at different temperatures.

You should have seen that the spacing of the particles depends on the temperature of the liquid in the thermometer.

Write a subtitle "How a thermometer works" in your exercise book and stick in the copy of the diagram above.

Now write an explanation of how a thermometer works, using as many words as you can from the list below:

temperature          particles          heat           cool          energy           vibrate          vibrational energy         spacing          increase          decrease          fluid          reservoir          expand           contract          move apart          move together          rise         level          descends

Task 4

A solid will expand when it is heated.  Your teacher will show you what happens to the particles in a solid using the simulation below:

Click to Run

Large bridges, like the severn bridge, have "expansion joints" which prevent them from buckling in hot weather.  Watch the short clip below to find out how expansion joints prevent the bridge from being damaged in hot weather.

Now, write a detailed explanation of why bridges and large structures need expansion joints, and how they prevent damage from occurring in hot weather.  You should seek to use as many technical terms in your explanation as possible.

sections          buckle          deform          fingers          temperature          particles          heat           cool          spacing          increase          decrease          vibrate          vibrational energy         solid          expand           contract          damage          move apart          move together