CHAPTER 1

Kinetic Particle Theory

© 2013 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

© 2014 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd
(Formerly known as Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited)
Chapter 1 Kinetic Particle Theory

1.1 States of Matter

1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

1.3 Changes in State of Matter and the Kinetic

Particle Theory

2
1.1 States of Matter

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• describe the solid, liquid and gaseous state of

matter.

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1.1 States of Matter

Matter refers to a substance that

• has mass;
• occupies space.

Matter exists in 3 states.

Solid
Gas (ice)
(water
vapour)
Liquid
(water)

4
1.1 States of Matter

Properties of Solids, Liquids and Gases

Property Solid Liquid Gas

Shape Fixed Not fixed Not fixed

Volume Fixed Fixed Not fixed

Compressibility Cannot be Cannot be Can be

compressed compressed compressed

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Chapter 1 Kinetic Particle Theory

1.1 States of Matter

1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

1.3 Changes in State of Matter and the Kinetic

Particle Theory

6
1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• state the kinetic particle theory;

• describe the states of matter using the

kinetic particle theory.

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Are particles in constant motion?

Is this some strange mutated fungus that is
URL growing larger every second?
Could this be an intelligent space cloud that
is going to engulf the planet?

No, it’s just miso soup.

The motion of the solids in the soup is caused by

liquid particles moving and bumping into the solids.

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Are Particles in Constant Motion?

The ‘dancing’ dust that you see in a
beam of light is actually the result of air
particles moving and bumping into dust!

Air particles are too small to be seen by

our eyes, therefore we can only see the
dust moving.

The explanations for the ‘dancing’ dust are based on

the kinetic particle theory.

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

What is Kinetic Particle Theory?

Atoms,
molecules,
The kinetic particle theory states that: ions

• All matter is made up of tiny particles.

• Particles are in constant and random

motion.

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Consider the
following
properties in the
three states of
matter:

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Solid

Arrangement of Closely packed in

particles orderly manner
Movement of Vibrate about fixed
particles positions
Forces of attraction Very strong
between particles
Kinetic energy of Low
particles

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Why Does a Solid Have a Fixed Shape?

The particles of a solid
• are held together by very strong
forces of attraction;
• vibrate about fixed positions;
• cannot move about freely.

Why Does a Solid Have a Fixed Volume?

A solid cannot be compressed
because its particles are already
very close to one another.
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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Liquid
Arrangement of Closely packed in
particles disorderly, random manner.
Slightly further apart than
those of a solid.
Movement of Sliding over each other
particles
Forces of Strong but weaker than in
attraction between solid
particles
Kinetic energy of More kinetic energy than in
particles a solid
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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Why Does a Liquid Not Have a Fixed Shape?

The particles of a liquid:
•are arranged in a disorderly manner;
•have weaker forces of attraction;
•are not held in fixed positions;
•can move freely throughout the liquid.

Why Does a Liquid Have a Fixed Volume?

The particles of a liquid are still
packed quite closely together.

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Gas

Arrangement of Very far apart

particles
Movement of particles Randomly at high
speeds in all directions
Forces of attraction Very weak
between particles
Kinetic energy of A lot of kinetic energy
particles

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1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Why Does a Gas Not Have a Fixed Shape?

The particles of a gas:
•are spread far apart from one another;
•have the weakest forces of attraction;
•have a lot of kinetic energy;
•can move about rapidly in any direction.

pressure
Why Does a Gas Not Have
a Fixed Volume?
Particles in gas are far apart from
one another. There is space for the
particles to be compressed. 17
1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

Summary
URL

Characteristic Solid Liquid Gas

Arrangement of • Orderly • Disorderly • Disorderly

particles • Closely • Less closely • Very far
packed packed than in apart
a solid
Attractive forces Very strong Strong Very weak
between
particles
Kinetic energy of Very low Low High
particles
Motion of Vibrate and Move freely Move rapidly
particles rotate about throughout the in any
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fixed positions liquid direction
Chapter 1 Kinetic Particle Theory

1.1 States of Matter

1.2 Kinetic Particle Theory

1.3 Changes in State of Matter and the Kinetic

Particle Theory

19
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:

• explain the interconversion of matter in terms

of the kinetic particle theory and energy
changes.

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1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Matter can change from one state to another.

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1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Changes of State

Changes in state are reversible.

freezing condensation
solid liquid gas
melting boiling/
evaporation

22
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Melting
Melting is the process by which a substance changes
from a solid to a liquid.
The temperature at which a solid melts is its melting point.

When a solid is heated:

liquid
solid

1. Particles gain 2. Particles overcome 3. Particles now

kinetic energy and attractive forces slide over one
vibrate faster. between them and another. Solid has
break away from fixed melted to liquid.
positions. 23
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Melting
Process (Heating Curve)
Temperature/oC

melting point liquid

liquid + solid

A–B: As the solid is heated, particles in solid

solid gain K.E., the temperature of the solid
increases until it reaches point B, its melting
point. At point B, the solid begins to melt.
Time/min
24
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Melting
Process (Heating Curve)
Temperature/oC

melting point liquid

liquid + solid

B–C: Melting occurs at fixed temperature.

solid Energy from heating is used to overcome
forces of attraction between the particles.
A mixture of solid and liquid exists.
Particles do not gain K.E.
Time/min
25
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Melting
Process (Heating Curve)
Temperature/oC

melting point liquid

liquid + solid
C–D: At point C, all the
solid has melted.
solid Temperature of the liquid
rises as heating continues.
Liquid particles gain K.E.

Time/min
26
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Freezing
Freezing is the change from a liquid to a solid.

The temperature at which a liquid freezes is its

freezing point.

When a liquid is cooled:

3. All the particles settle
1. Particles lose kinetic energy
into fixed positions. Liquid
and move more slowly.
has frozen into solid.

solid
liquid 2. Some particles start to settle
into fixed positions. 27
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Freezing
Process (Cooling Curve)
Temperature/oC
P–Q: Particles in liquid loses K.E. The
temperature of the liquid drops to
freezing point, Q. At Q, the liquid starts
liquid to freeze.

liquid + solid solid

freezing point

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Time/min
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Freezing
Process (Cooling Curve)
Temperature/oC
Q–R: liquid freezes.
A mixture of liquid and solid exists.
Temperature remains constant even
liquid though cooling continues. Why?

liquid + solid solid

freezing point

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Time/min
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Freezing
Process (Cooling Curve)
Temperature/oC
R–S: Particles in solid lose K.E.
At R, all the liquid has frozen.
The temperature of the solid drops
with further cooling.
liquid

liquid + solid solid

freezing point

30
Time/min
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Boiling

Boiling is the change

from a liquid to a gas
at the boiling
temperature.

The temperature at
which a liquid boils is
the boiling point.

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1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Boiling
Process (Heating Curve)
Temperature/oC

gas
boiling point

liquid + gas
liquid

W–X: Particles in liquid gain K.E.,

temperature of liquid increases until its
boiling point, X, is reached.

Time/min 32
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory
Temperature Changes in the Boiling
Process (Heating Curve)
Temperature/oC

gas
boiling point

liquid + gas
X–Y: Liquid boils
liquid
Mixture of liquid and gas exists.
Temperature of liquid remains
constant. Why?
Temperature remains constant
until all the liquid is boiled off.

Time/min 33
1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

What change of state is taking place here?

Evaporation
Clothes dry when
water on wet
clothes change
into water vapour.

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1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Evaporation is the change from a liquid to a gas

below the boiling point.
Yippee! We Particles have enough
have enough
energy to
energy to escape as a
escape! gas from the surface of
Gas
the liquid.

Volatile liquids
evaporate quickly at
room temperature.
E.g. Perfume, petrol

Liquid
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1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Differences Between Boiling and Evaporation

Comparison Evaporation Boiling

Temperature Any temperature Only at boiling

below boiling point point
Site Surface of liquid Throughout the
liquid
Speed Slow Fast

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1.3 Changes in State of Matter and
the Kinetic Particle Theory

Condensation is the change from a gas to

a liquid.

It is cool to
When temperature condense!
drops:
Liquid

• Gas particles
lose kinetic
energy • Gas becomes liquid
Gas

• Increase in
• Move closer together attractive forces
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Chapter 1 Kinetic Particle Theory

Concept Map

38
Chapter 1 Kinetic Particle Theory

The URLs are valid as at 15 May 2015.

Acknowledgements

(slide 1) ice melting © Stevemcsweeny | Dreamstime.com

(slide 4) melting ice cubes © Mysid | Wikimedia Commons |

Public Domain

(slide 31) boiling © Steven Coling | 123RF

(slide 34) clothes drying © Miflippo | Dreamstime.com

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