the building block of matter; even small pieces of matter have trillions of atoms

a term used to describe atoms or molecules which make up matter

a liquid or a gas; fluids can flow as the particles can move around each other

caused by a force acting over an area on a surface; it can be calculated using: pressure = force ÷ area

Pressure in a fluid

Physics

Calculating density and measuring volume

Measuring density

Upthrust calculations

Explaining convection

Explaining changes of pressure

In the Energy of moving particles unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how the movement and nature of different particles transfers energy by conduction, and how specific heat capacity and specific latent heat quantify the effect of heating on the properties of a material.

In the Heating and cooling unit, pupils learnt how the motion of particles in solids, liquids and gases changes when they are heated, how thermal conduction and insulation work and why heating different materials doesn’t always increase their temperatures by the same amount. 

This unit defines density and explores how it varies between states of matter based on atomic arrangement. It covers mass conservation during physical changes, gas behaviour, fluid pressure, buoyancy, and atmospheric pressure, and calculations involving density, mass, and volume relationships.

Particle explanations of density and pressure

Which of the following statements about particles are correct?

In all fluids, the particles are far apart.

In all fluids, the particles can move around each other.

Which of the following statements about fluids are correct?

Which of the following statements explains why it is difficult to compress a liquid?

The particles in fluids are close together.

The particles in fluids are moving around.

Fluids are made of a different type of particle from solids.

Which of the following statements explains why all fluids exert pressure?

The following diagrams all show the same solid cuboid, resting on a table in different positions. In which diagram does the block exert the greatest pressure on the table?

A swimming pool has the same depth everywhere. Its area is 1250 m² and it contains water with a weight of        2 500 000 N. The pressure caused by the water on the bottom of the pool is {{}} N/m².

Which of the following words means ‘apply force to make something smaller’?

Which of the following types of motion can be described as a vibration?

The three states of matter are liquid, solid and {{}}.

They are similar in size to a living cell, such as a red blood cell.

They cannot be seen using microscopes that are used in schools.

The nucleus of an atom is the same size as the nucleus of a living cell.

Which of the following statements about atoms is correct?

Which of the following diagrams accurately represents the arrangement of the particles in a liquid?

a gravitational force that acts on the object

the force exerted on the object by Earth's  gravitational pull

a measure of the number and size of particles in the object

Which of the following describe the weight of an object?

Pressure in a fluid

Lesson outcome