Phases of Matter                                           5/24

 

Four PHASES – solid, liquid, gas, plasma – of MATTER

 

Solids          -  have a definite shape and volume

•             molecules are tightly packed together

•             very little energy; molecules can only vibrate

Two types: 

 

          Crystalline                                                                                  Amorphous

    molecules are arranged in a                          molecules are NOT arranged

     repeating pattern!                                                               this means that under certain circumstances they    

                                                                                                   can change their shape.                                   

                        

 

This structure gives it shape                                                        These can be pushed around

         table, strawberries,                                                              play-dough, silly putty

             legos, pencil                                                                                clay, wax

           

 

 

 

 

 

Liquid – has a definite volume, no definite shape

•       molecules are loosely together

   

•       they have medium energy; they flow (move around

        one another) and can be poured!

   

  *VISCOSITY – is a measure of how easily a liquid flows/pours.        

            High viscosity (or viscous) liquids are hard to pour.

                honey, ketchup, mustard, some syrup, batter

             Low viscosity liquids are “thin” and easy to pour      

                soda, sugar free syrup, water, vinegar           

       

   

            Gas – no definite shape or volume

                - molecules may be very far apart, BUT they may be

              pushed together!  Compressible!

                   - will fill its container (they will expand!)

                   - HIGH energy; molecules bounce (very active)

 

            Plasma - no definite shape or volume

                      -  molecules may be very far apart; very active

             - it is essentially an energized gas!  It has so much

            energy it gives it off as  LIGHT! It glows!

- Naturally occurring plasma is very common (lightning, stars)…but dangerous!  Man-made plasma is more common, it is not as dangerous…florescent lights, plasma TV