States of Matter
World A — Chemistry Foundations
R08.01 The Solid State
- Fixed shape and volume.
- Particles vibrate in a rigid lattice.
- High intermolecular forces.
R08.02 The Liquid State
- Fixed volume, takes shape of container.
- Particles slide past each other.
- Capable of flowing (fluid).
R08.03 The Gaseous State
- No fixed shape or volume.
- Highly compressible.
- Particles move rapidly and randomly.
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R08.04 Plasma & BEC
- Plasma: Superheated ionized gas (Stars).
- BEC: Supercooled quantum state.
- The extreme temperature limits.
R08.05 Kinetic Molecular Theory
- Matter consists of particles in motion.
- Temperature is average kinetic energy.
- Collisions are perfectly elastic.
K.E.
K.E.
R08.06 The Tug-of-War
- Intermolecular Forces (pull together).
- Kinetic Energy (push apart).
- Balance determines physical state.
HEAT ➔← COOL
R08.07 Melting & Freezing
- Solid ↔ Liquid transition.
- Breaking/forming the crystal lattice.
- Occurs at specific melting/freezing point.
HEAT ➔← COOL
R08.08 Vaporization & Condensation
- Liquid ↔ Gas transition.
- Overcoming atmospheric pressure (Boiling).
- Surface phenomena (Evaporation).
SUBLIMATION ➔← DEPOSITION
R08.09 Sublimation & Deposition
- Solid ↔ Gas directly.
- Bypassing the liquid phase.
- Example: Dry ice (Solid CO₂), Frost.
R08.10 The Heating Curve
- Temperature vs Time graph.
- Plateaus represent phase changes.
- Latent heat (hidden heat) absorbed.
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R08.11 Phase Diagrams
- Pressure vs Temperature map.
- Shows boundaries of stable states.
- Triple Point: All 3 states coexist.
R08.12 The Gas Laws
- Boyle's Law: $P \propto 1/V$
- Charles's Law: $V \propto T$
- Ideal Gas Equation: $PV = nRT$