CIE CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER 1: STATES OF MATTER

1.1 Solids, liquids, and gases

• Everything is made up of tiny particles called atoms.

• An atom is the smallest particle that cannot be broken down by chemical means.

• States of matter are the various ways in which matter can exist. Matter is anything that has mass and can occupy space.

• There are only three states of matter that you need to know at this level. These include: solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids

• They have definite shape, volume, and mass.

• The particles are closely packed together.

• Particles are in a regular arrangement.

• The particles vibrate in their fixed position.

• They have a high density.

• Incompressible.

Liquids 

• They have an indefinite shape, meaning they take the shape of the container.         

              For instance, when you pour water into a container, it will take its shape.

• They have a definite volume and mass.

• Particles move and slide past each other, which reason why they can move freely.

• Particles are in a random arrangement.

• They are less dense than solids.

• The particles are moderately spaced.

Gases

• They are the least dense of the three states of matter.

• They have an indefinite shape and volume.

• They have a definite mass.

• Particles are widely spaced from each other.

• Compressible because there is a lot of space between the particles.

• They are randomly arranged.

• The particles move quickly and in all directions.