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