3 (c.a.) Phases of Matter
Solids have a definite shape and volume, meaning that, for the most part, they keep their shapes, and they can't be compressed. If you were to add energy to a substance in its solid state, it would turn into a liquid. This is called melting, and the reverse process is called freezing. Liquids have a definite volume but not a definite shape, which means that they will take the shape of their container but, like solids, they're not compressible. Hydraulics and car brakes work because liquids are incompressible, but they are still able to flow. Now, if we were to heat this liquid enough, it would turn into a gas. This is called vaporization, and the reverse process is called condensation. You may notice on a warm day water droplets form on the outside of a cold drink. This is what happens when water vapor in the air cools down after coming in contact with your cold beverage. Gases do not have a definite shape or a definite volume. They will take the shape of their container, and they can be compressed.
Solids are rigid, cannot be squashed or compressed, have a fixed shape and and a fixed volume. They cannot flow.
Particles in LIQUIDS can move around each other. So liquids are NOT rigid but because their particles are closely packed as in solids they cannot be squashed or compressed. They do not have a fixed shape but they do have a fixed volume. BEWARE with that one as many students think that because liquids do not have a fixed shape they don have a fixed volume. But they are wrong!!!
The particles in gasses are not closely pact they're far apart. As a result gasses are not rigid and can be squashed or compressed. They do NOT.fixed shape or fixed volume. They fill the whole space they are in.
Solids are rigid, cannot be squashed or compressed, have a fixed shape and and a fixed volume. They cannot flow.
Particles in LIQUIDS can move around each other. So liquids are NOT rigid but because their particles are closely packed as in solids they cannot be squashed or compressed. They do not have a fixed shape but they do have a fixed volume. BEWARE with that one as many students think that because liquids do not have a fixed shape they don have a fixed volume. But they are wrong!!!
The particles in gasses are not closely pact they're far apart. As a result gasses are not rigid and can be squashed or compressed. They do NOT.fixed shape or fixed volume. They fill the whole space they are in.