Science Y7 Particle Model KO
Science Y7 Particle Model KO
The different properties of solids, liquids and gases can be explained by the particle theory
(or particle model).
Solids, liquids and gases (the three states of matter) need to be handled and stored differently because of
these different properties.
Spacing Very close together, Very close together, Very spaced out. Can
touching. Can’t be some touching. Can’t be be compressed or
squashed squashed squashed together
Movement Vibrate in fixed positions Can move or slip and Move quickly in all
slide over each other directions
Extension - Alloys
Alloys are special solids, made from two or more metals mixed
together.
They are often harder and stronger than pure metals as the
different sized atoms make it difficult for the atoms to move past
each other when a force is applied.
Summary Sheet Year 7 Particle Model:
Extension - Viscosity
Liquids and gases can be poured and will flow, as the particles can move past each other quite easily. Some
liquids flow more easily than others. Resistance to flow is called viscosity.
A more viscous liquid has stronger forces holding the particles together and will flow less easily. e.g. treacle
and syrup are viscous liquids.
Changing States
Evaporation is a change from liquid to gas, but can occur well below a liquid’s usual boiling temperature.
Some substances (carbon dioxide and iodine) can turn directly from a solid into a gas without melting. This
is called sublimation.
Diffusion is fastest in gases (as gas particles have higher energies so move faster), and slower in liquids.
Dilution
When you add water to orange squash you dilute it. The colour becomes paler because the orange
coloured squash particles are spread out more among the water particles.
Pressure in gases
Pressure is a force caused by particles hitting the walls of the container they are in.
● the container has been squashed, making the volume smaller so that the particles will be
hitting the walls more often.
● the number of particles has been increased, so that there are more particles moving around
to hit the walls.
If the particles are in a flexible container, like a balloon, an increase in pressure inside the
container can make the volume increase. If the pressure becomes too great, the balloon will
burst.
Air pressure is the pressure caused by air particles around us. Air pressure lets us suck things up using a
straw and also causes a container to collapse if the air is sucked out. If all the air is sucked out of a
container, you get a vacuum – nothingness.
The most accurate way to calculate the density of any solid, liquid or gas is to divide its mass in grams (or
kilograms) by its volume (length × width × height) in cubic centimetres, cm3 (or cubic metres, m3).
The density of water is approximately 1 g/cm3. If solid objects are placed in water and they sink, they have a
density greater than water (1 g/cm3). The reverse is also true. You should remember that 1 ml (millilitre) is
the same as 1 cm3.
In the example above left, an object has been placed into a measuring cylinder of water, on a balance.
The density of the object is 33 g = 1.1 g/cm3 (This answer is to 1 decimal place or 2 significant figures)
30 cm3
Alternatively, a eureka can is used. A eureka can is a container large enough to hold the object with a spout
positioned near the top. The can is filled to the top with water and the object placed in it. The volume of the
object is equal to the volume of the water that is forced through the spout and collected in the measuring
cylinder. The object is weighed on a balance beforehand.
Eureka cans are named after a scientist called Archimedes who first recorded this idea. They are sometimes
also called displacement vessels.
When a liquid changes into a gas, the spacing between the particles increases significantly. This means
that the gas takes up a lot more space than the liquid, so its volume increases dramatically. Its density is a
much lower value.