Chapter 2: Kinetic Particle Theory

Classification of Matter
1. Matter takes up space and has mass.
2. Matter can exist in three different physical states; i.e. solid, liquid and gas.
3. The kinetic particle theory states the following:
a. Matter is made up of tiny particles. These tiny particles can be atoms, molecules or
ions.
b. The particles have kinetic energy and hence, are in constant and random motion.
c. The particulate model of matter is used to explain the properties and characteristics
of matter in different physical states.
Solid Liquid Gas


Motion
Vibrate at fixed
positions only
Move about within
confined space and
slide past each other
Move freely in all
directions at high
speed
Attractive force Very strong Moderate Very weak
Arrangement
Regular pattern and
fixed positions
Irregular and random Irregular and random
Distance
Very closely packed
together
Quite close together Very far apart

Physical
state
Properties Explanation in terms of the particulate model of matter
Solids
Fixed volume and
shape
Particles are arranged in a fixed position and a
regular pattern.
The strong attractive force prevents the particles
from breaking away from their fixed positions.
Not compressible
The particles are closely packed together, so there
is little spaces for compression to occur.
No able to flow
The particles can only vibrate at their fixed
positions.
Liquids
Fixed volume but no
fixed shape
The moderately strong attractive force prevents
the particles from escaping from their positions.
However, the particles can move about and slide
past each other freely.
Takes the shape of
container
The particles are able to move about and slide past
each other.
Able to flow easily
Not compressible
The particles are arranged quite closely together,
so there are less spaces between them.
Gases
No fixed volume and
shape
The particles can move freely and randomly in all
the available spaces.
The attractive forces of attraction between the
particles are negligible.
Flow easily
The particles move freely at high speeds. Takes the shape of the
container
Compressible
The particles are far apart from each other, so they
exists empty space for compression.

Energy changes during Interconversion of Physical States
A change in the physical state does not produce new substances. It is called a physical
change.

When a substance undergoes changes in physical states, energy is either given out to the
surroundings or taken in from the surroundings.

When energy is given out to the surroundings, it is called exothermic. When energy is taken
in from the surroundings, it is known as endothermic.

A pure substance has a fixed boiling and melting point. Changes in the physical states of a
substance takes place at these two particular temperatures.

Energy is involved in the breaking down of the attractive forces or the formation of
attractive forces between particles during changes in physical states of a substance.

Label endothermic and exothermic for the following physical changes in the diagram below:


Process Definition
Energy
changes
Reason for energy
change
Melting
A process where solid changes
into a liquid.
Endothermic
To overcome the
attractive forces of
attraction between
the particles
Boiling
A process where liquid changes
into gas.
Sublimation
Process where solid changes
into gas directly without
becoming a liquid.
Freezing
Process where gas changes into
liquid.
Exothermic
To allow the
formation of
attractive forces
between the particles
Condensation
Process where liquid changes
into solid
Deposition
Process where a gas changes
into solid without becoming a
liquid.

NOTE: Evaporation is a process in which a liquid changes into a gas. This process is endothermic.
However, evaporation is different from boiling because it takes place below the boiling point of the
substance.

Questions
1. Which of the following descriptions about the particles in a dilute ethanol solution at room
temperature is correct?

Ethanol molecules Water
A Close together, vibrate at fixed positions Close together, vibrate at fixed positions
B
Widely separated, vibrate at fixed
positions
Widely separated, moving at random
C Close together, vibrate at fixed positions Widely separated, not moving
D Widely separated, moving at random Close together, moving at random

2. The melting points and boiling points of some metals are given below. Which metal remains
as a liquid over the shortest range of temperature?

Metal Melting point /C Boiling point /C
A Al 660 2470
B Cu 1083 2595
C Fe 2535 3000
D Pt 1769 4530

3. The diagram shows the spacing of molecules in a substance at atmospheric pressure but at
two different temperatures.

at -175C at -85C


What could be the melting point and boiling point of the substance?

Melting point /C Boiling point /C
A -180 -80
B -170 -90
C -180 -90
D -170 -80

4. Which statement about the behaviour of the particles in a liquid is correct?
a. They spread throughout the container in which they are contained.
b. They are able to move at high speeds.
c. They are arranged in irregular patterns.
d. There are large spaces between the particles.

5. The boiling points of some elements are given below.




These three gases are made into liquid air at -200C and are separated by fractional
distillation. When the temperature is increased by 50C, which substance(s) would remain in
liquid state?
a. Nitrogen
b. Xenon
c. Oxygen
d. Nitrogen and oxygen

6. Iodine has a melting point of 114C and a boiling point of 184C. At which temperature is
iodine a liquid?
a. 80C
b. 100C
c. 160C
d. 200C

7. Which of the following processes is energy given out to the surroundings?
a. Melting
b. Sublimation
c. Evaporation
d. Condensation

8. The melting points and boiling points of seven substances A to G are given in the following
table.

Substance Melting point /C Boiling point /C
A -82 400
B -25 -50
C -15 60
D 44 280
E 110 185
F 85 450
G 1250 2150

a. Which substance is a gas at room temperature?



b. Which substance is a solid at 1000C?

Element Boiling point /C
Nitrogen -196
Xenon -108
Oxygen -183
c. Which substance changes its physical state when the temperature changes from 0C to
50C?



d. Which substance exists as a liquid over the largest range of temperature?



e. Sketch the arrangement of particles of substance F at room temperature.






9. A fractional distillation is used to separate a mixture of ethanol (boiling point: 78C) and
water.
a. Explain why the bulb of the thermometer must be placed near the outlet of the
condenser connecting to the fractionating column.








b. The boiling of the mixture is bumpy. Suggest one way to reduce this boiling effect.




c. Which of the compounds is distilled first? Explain your answer.









d. Sketch a graph of temperature-time for the distillation of both substances from
room temperature to the boiling point of water.













10. Which statement about the molecules in carbon dioxide gas is correct?

a. The molecules are close together.
b. The molecules are diatomic.
c. The molecules are in fixed positions.
d. The molecules move randomly.

11. An endothermic reaction is one in which

a. The products contain more energy than the reactants.
b. The reaction container becomes hot.
c. Light is given out.
d. Sound is produced.

12. The diagrams shows the particles in three substances, Q, R and S.


Which of the structures in the above diagrams best represents
a. Solid copper:

b. Brass:



13. A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas is prepared by passing steam over heated
carbon. Energy is absorbed.

a. Construct a balanced equation with state symbols for this reaction.




b. In this reaction, the covalent bonds in water molecules are broken. Is the bond
breaking process exothermic or endothermic?



14. Which statement about the molecules in carbon dioxide gas is not correct?

a. The molecules are triatomic.
b. The molecules move randomly.
c. The molecules are close together.
d. The molecules spread throughout their container.

15. Which changes occur when a solid at 20C becomes a liquid at 78C?

Separation of
particles
Energy of particles
Attractive forces
between particles
A Decreases Increases Decreases
B Decreases Decreases Increases
C Increases Increases Decreases
D Increases Decreases Increases

16. Which of the following is a mixture?

a. Crude oil
b. Glucose
c. Steam
d. Salt

17. Which of the following atoms/molecules have the least kinetic energy at room temperature
and pressure?

a. Mercury
b. Water
c. Potassium
d. Ammonia


18. Neon exists as a gas at room temperature and pressure because __________.

a. The attractive forces between neon atoms are weak.
b. Neon molecules are diatomic.
c. Neon is chemically inert.
d. The valence electron shell of an atom has octet structure.

19. In a vessel containing ice, water and water vapour, which of the following statements is
correct?

a. The molecules in water vapour have the most energy.
b. Energy is released when water changes from solid to liquid.
c. The volume of water in all three states is the same.
d. Ice has weaker forces of attraction between its molecules compared to water.

20. For a given substance, does the density of increases or decreases when the substance
sublimes?