Chapter 1 – Kinetic Particle Theory

States of Matter
- Matter exist in three different states : solid, liquid, gas
- Properties of the 3 states:
Solids Liquids Gases
Shape Fixed Not fixed Not fixed
Volume Fixed Fixed No fix volume
Compression Cannot be Cannot be Can be compressed
compressed compressed

Kinetic Particle Theory

- The KPT States that all matter is made up of tiny particles that are in constant motion.
1. Solid State
 The particles of a solid are closely packed in an orderly manner.
 They are held together by very strong forces of attraction and can only vibrate at their fixed
positions.
 A solid has a fixed volume because its particles are already closely packed and it cannot be
compressed.
2. Liquid State
 The particles of a liquid are close together in an disorderly manner.
 The forces of attraction between the particles are weaker than those in a solid. This allow them to
slide over one another freely throughout the liquid.
3. Gaseous State
 The particles of a gas are far apart in a random arrangement.
 The forces of attraction between the particles are extremely weak. This allows the particles to move
about rapidly in any direction.
 Gases can be compressed because their particles are far apart and can be pushed close together
into the empty spaces between them.

Summary
Solids Liquids Gases
Proximity Of Close together Close together Far apart
molecules
Arrangement Orderly Not orderly Random
Forces of Very strong Strong Extremely weak
Attraction
Movement Vibrate at a fixed Able to slide through one Able to move about rapidly in
position only another throughout the liquid any directions
Changes of States
1. Melting
 When a solid is heated, its particles gain energy and vibrate faster about their fixed position.
 Upon gaining sufficient energy, the particles are able to breakaway (overcome the forces) that hold
them in a fixed position.
 When the particles can slide over one another, we say that melting has occurred.
2. Boiling
 When a liquid is heated, its particles gain energy and move faster in the liquid.
 Upon gaining sufficient energy, the particles are able to overcome the forces holding them together.
 When the particles are far apart and can move rapidly in any directions, we say that boiling has
occurred.
3. Freezing
 When a liquid is cooled, its particles lose energy and begin to move more slowly.
 The particles then take up fixed positions when they no longer have energy to move around.
 We say that freezing has occurred when the particles can only vibrate at their fixed positions.
4. Other Changes of States
 Condensation: From gas to liquid
 Sublimation: From solid to gas (Ammonium chloride/Dry Ice/Iodine)
 Evaporation: From liquid to gas at below its boiling point.

Diffusion
- It is the movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
- It is mainly seen in fluids.
- The rate of diffusion is dependent on :
1. The Molecular Mass of the particle
2. Temperature
 In hot water, the particles of the coffee powder gain energy and move faster throughout the liquid.
 This helps to increase the rate of diffusion as they move from a region of higher concentration to a
region of lower concentration.