States of Matter
condensation
The change of state from a gas to a liquid; particles are loosing thermal energy
vaporization
The change of state from a liquid to a gas; particles are gaining thermal energy. Boiling and evaporating are types.
Thermal Energy
the total kinetic energy of a substance's atoms; heat energy
melting point
the temperature at which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid
crystal
example of a crystalline solid
viscosity
resistance of a liquid to flow; thickness of a liquid
boiling point
the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas
freezing point
the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a solid
Plasma
4th state of matter; a super hot gas with an electrical charge; high temperature physical state of matter in which atoms lose their electrons
solid
Definite shape and definite volume. Particles with low kinetic energy; particles constantly touching each other; definite shape; definite volume
gas
NO definite shape, NO definite volume. Particles with high kinetic energy; particles rarely touch each other;
liquid
NO definite shape, but does have a definite volume. Particles with medium kinetic energy; particles touching each other though not as often as particles in a solid;
sublimation
a change directly from the solid to the gaseous state without becoming liquid; particles have a quick, tremendous gain in thermal energy
fluid
a liquid or gas; anything that flows
surface tension
a measure of how difficult it is to break the surface of a liquid
amorphous solid
a solid in which the particles are arranged randomly;
boiling
phase change from a liquid to a gas that happens WITHIN the liquid and at the surface; particles are gaining thermal energy
evaporation
phase change from a liquid to a gas that only happens at the SURFACE of the liquid; particles are gaining thermal energy
freezing
phase change from a liquid to a solid; particles are loosing thermal energy
melting
phase change from a solid to a liquid; particles are gaining thermal energy
crystalline solid
solids with a specific external geometrical shape; particles are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern
Phase Changes
substances change phases by adding or removing energy
Temperature
the average kinetic energy of the individual particles of matter (whether a solid, a liquid or a gas); a measure of how often the molecules of a substance strike the thermometer
pressure
the force exerted on a surface divided by the total area over which the force is exerted;, the amount of force pushing on a surface or area