First Year Science

States of Matter
 In this topic:
• Properties of solids, liquids and gases
• Using a Bunsen burner
• Changing states:
– Melting
– Condensation
– Evaporation
• Diffusion
 States of Matter
• Matter: anything that occupies space and has
mass
• 3 main states:
1. Solid
2. Liquid
3. Gas
 Properties of the states
• What do I mean by “Properties”?
• The qualities that make an object
what it is
– What it looks like
– What it is made of
– What it feels like
– What it can do
– ……..
 What are they made of?
• All matter is made up of tiny particles
• Known as ATOMS
• Groups of atoms join to form MOLECULES
• Would need a really really powerful
microscope to see them
 Solids
• Molecules packed closely together
• Lattice structure

• Doesn’t flow

• Can’t be compressed
• Strong structure
 Investigating properties of Solids
• Can you compress it
or make it smaller?
• Can you pour it or
make it flow?
 Liquids
• Weaker bonds between molecules
• More freedom to move & slide

• Flows
• Take shape of what they are put
into
• Can’t be compressed
 Investigating properties of Liquids
• Does the water flow?
• Does it change shape?

• Does it change
volume?

• Can we compress it?

 Gas
• Very weak bonds between
molecules

• Complete freedom to move

• Move very fast
• Flows
• Moves to fill space
• Can be compressed
 Investigating properties of gases
• Does the gas flow?
• Does it change
shape?

• Can we compress
it?
 Summary
SOLID LIQUID GAS

Definiteshape Nodefinite Nodefinite

shape shape
Definitevolume Definitevolume Nodefinite
volume
Can’tbe Can’tbe Canbe
compressed compressed compressed
Cannotflow Canflow Canflow
Bunsen Burner
 How to light a bunsen burner
1. Put on safety glasses and tie back hair
2. Plug into gas supply
3. Make sure the air hole is fully closed
4. Light match
5. Partner turn on gas
6. Pass lighter or match slowly
over top of bunsen burner
Bunsen Burner
3 different flames:
1. Yellow safety
flame
2. Quiet blue
3. Loud blue
 Safety first…..

• No faces or arms near top of bunsen burner

• Leave on yellow “safety flame” when not in
use
• Use tongs and test tube holders for hot
equipment
• Don’t heat an empty glass object
Bunsen Burner: hottest part of flame
 Matter can change states

• We know that water can be:

– solid (ICE),
– liquid (WATER) and
– gas (STEAM)
 Melting
Melting: the changing of a solid to a
liquid
 Melting point
Melting point: the temperature when a
solid turns into a liquid
• Melting point of water = 0 °C
• Melting point of alcohol = -114 °C
 Evaporation
Evaporation: the changing of a liquid to
a gas
• Can be through boiling
• Or from heat from the sun
 Boiling
Boiling point: the temperature at which a
liquid turns into a gas through the liquid
• Boiling point of water = 100 °C
• Boiling point of alcohol = 78.5 °C
 Condensation
Condensation: the changing of a gas into
a liquid
 Freezing or solidification

Freezing/solidifying: the changing of a

liquid to a solid
• Freezing point of water: 0 °C
• Freezing point of alcohol: -114.6 °C
Activity 2: Changes of state
Activity 2: Part 1
1. What happens to
the ice?
2. What do we call
this?
Continue heating until
it bubbles
3. What does the
water turn into?
4. What is the name
of this change?
 • Hold a dry test tube
above the beaker
• Observe for about
20 seconds

5. What has formed on

the test tube?
6. What do we call this
change?
Part 2
• Keep hot water
• DO NOT LET BOIL DRY
• Place a test tube with
some wax into the hot
water
7. What change occurs?
8. To what state does it
change?
• Turn off bunsen burner
• Use test tube holder
• Place hot test tube into the test tube rack
• Leave for a while

9. What does it change to?

 Changing states

1. Solid Liquid MELTING

2. Liquid Gas EVAPORATION

3. Gas Liquid CONDENSATION

FREEZING /
4. Liquid Solid
SOLIDIFICATION
 What is Diffusion?
Diffusion: the way in which particles in
gases and liquids spread out
• Move from areas of high concentration to
areas of low concentration
 Can you explain why….
1. Diffusion occurs both in liquids and gases but
hardly at all in solids?

2. Diffusion happens more quickly for gases

than for liquids.
 Chapter 17:
Solids, Liquids and Gases
DONE!!