States of Matter EC

What is matter?

• Anything that has mass and takes up space

• Anything that is visible to the eye

• Anything that can be touched

• Anything that is solid

Answer explanation

Matter is defined as anything that has mass and occupies space. This includes solids, liquids, and gases, making the first choice the most accurate. The other options are too restrictive and do not encompass all forms of matter.

What is a key property of solids?

• Particles are loosely packed

• Particles can move freely

• Definite shape and volume

• Easily change shape

Answer explanation

A key property of solids is that they have a definite shape and volume. This means that the particles in a solid are closely packed and cannot move freely, unlike liquids and gases.

How do particles in a liquid behave compared to those in a solid?

• They are packed more tightly

• They are held in a fixed position

• They slide past each other

• They vibrate in place

Answer explanation

In a liquid, particles are not held in a fixed position like in a solid. Instead, they can slide past each other, allowing liquids to flow. This behavior distinguishes liquids from solids, where particles vibrate in place.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What makes solids hard and rigid?

• Particles are loosely arranged

• Particles can easily move past one another

• Tightly packed particles resist change

• Particles are in a liquid state

Answer explanation

Solids are hard and rigid because their particles are tightly packed. This arrangement resists changes in shape or volume, making it difficult for the particles to move past one another, unlike in liquids or gases.

Which of the following is a property of gases?

• Definite shape

• Definite volume

• No definite shape or volume

• Particles vibrate in place

Answer explanation

Gases have no definite shape or volume, meaning they expand to fill their container. This distinguishes them from solids and liquids, which have fixed shapes and volumes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

How do gas particles move?

• Vibrate in place

• Slide past each other

• Move freely in all directions

• Stay in a fixed position

Answer explanation

Gas particles move freely in all directions due to their high energy and weak intermolecular forces. This allows them to fill their container and spread out, unlike solids or liquids where particles are more restricted.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What allows gases to be easily compressed?

• Particles are tightly packed

• Large amount of empty space between particles

• Particles are in a fixed position

• Particles slide past each other

Answer explanation

Gases can be easily compressed because there is a large amount of empty space between their particles. This allows particles to be pushed closer together, unlike solids or liquids where particles are tightly packed.

In which state of matter do particles have the highest energy?

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

• Plasma

Answer explanation

In gases, particles have the highest energy compared to solids and liquids. They move freely and rapidly, allowing them to overcome intermolecular forces, which is not the case in solids or liquids.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What happens to a solid during the melting phase change?

• It transforms into a gas.

• It transforms into a liquid.

• It remains a solid.

• It transforms into a plasma.

Answer explanation

During the melting phase change, a solid absorbs heat and transforms into a liquid. This process occurs at a specific temperature called the melting point, where the solid's structure breaks down, allowing it to flow as a liquid.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Which phase change involves a liquid transforming into a gas?

• Freezing

• Condensation

• Evaporation

• Sublimation

Answer explanation

Evaporation is the phase change where a liquid turns into a gas, typically occurring at the surface of the liquid. Freezing is the opposite process, condensation involves gas to liquid, and sublimation is solid to gas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4