The states of matter are used to describe the three physical states that matter commonly exists in: the solid state, liquid state and the gas state.

The particle model is a model used to explain the physical properties of substances by describing the arrangement and movement of particles.

Forces of attraction are pulling forces that keep particles close together.

If you compress a substance, it can be made to take up less space than before. Substances in the gas state can be compressed.

The particle model

Combined science

State changes: fundamentals

State changes: evaporation and sublimation

Predicting states of matter and limitations of the particle model

Pure substance

Heating and cooling curves

Heating curves: practical

In the Separating Substances unit, pupils will build on their knowledge of states of matter to learn about different techniques for separating mixtures.

In the Solid, Liquid and Gas States and Changes of State unit, pupils learned about the properties of different states of matter and how particles move during changes of state.

This unit covers the particle model, states of matter, and changes between them, distinguishing physical from chemical changes. It explains the concept of purity in scientific terms, using melting point data to identify pure and impure substances, and explores the limitations of the particle model.

States of matter

When a substance changes from a solid state to a liquid state.

The process of a substance changing from a liquid state to a solid state.

A pulling force that keeps particles close together.

When a substance in the liquid state is heated, gas bubbles form and it changes to the gas state.

When a substance in the gas state is cooled and changes to a liquid state.

when a particle of a substance in the liquid state at the surface, has enough energy to change to the gas state and mix with air.

a change of state of a substance from a solid directly to a gas; e.g. iodine.

when a substance changes from the gas state to the solid state without being in the liquid state.

A change in which no new substances are formed, such as a change in state, e.g. melting.

Occurs when a reaction takes place and atoms or ions in the reactants are rearranged to make new products/substances.

A model that helps us to understand physical properties of substances. It uses circles or spheres to represent particles, i.e. atoms or compounds.

A point at which we cannot use the model to help us explain a scientific phenomena.

A pure substance in chemistry is a single element or compound that is not mixed with any other substance.

A property is a feature or characteristic of a substance that can be used to classify it, or describe how it behaves.

shows temperature changes of a substance over time as it is heated.

shows temperature changes of a substance over time as it is cooled.

the single variable that is changed in an investigation

the single variable that is measured or observed in an investigation

all variables, other than the independent and dependent variables, that are kept the same in an investigation

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States of matter

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