States of Matter, Liquids and Solids

Science

Forms of the same element that have different molecular structures

Allotrope

Forms of the same element that have different molecular structures. Allotrope. An allotrope is a different form of the same element that has distinct physical or chemical properties due to variations in its molecular structure.

A solid made up of particles that are not arranged in a regular pattern

Amorphous solid

A solid made up of particles that are not arranged in a regular pattern. Amorphous solid. An amorphous solid is a type of solid where the particles are arranged randomly, like in glass or plastic.

The layer of gases that surround the Earth

Atmosphere

The layer of gases that surround the Earth. Atmosphere. It is a blanket of air that protects us and makes life possible on our planet.

The pressure caused by the weight of the atmosphere

Atmospheric pressure

The pressure caused by the weight of the atmosphere. Atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air molecules pressing down on the Earth's surface.

An instrument that measures air pressure

Barometer

An instrument that measures air pressure. Barometer. A barometer is a tool used to measure atmospheric pressure, helping predict weather changes.

The temperature at which a liquid boils

Boiling point

The temperature at which a liquid boils. Boiling point. The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas.

The process of a gas changing into a liquid

Condensation

The process of a gas changing into a liquid. Condensation. Condensation is when water vapor in the air cools down and turns back into liquid water, like droplets on a cold glass.

A solid made up of crystals in which particles are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern

Crystalline solid

A solid made up of crystals in which particles are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern. Crystalline solid. Crystalline solids are materials where atoms or molecules are arranged in an orderly repeating structure.

The change of state directly from a gas to a solid

Deposition phase change

The change of state directly from a gas to a solid. Deposition phase change. Deposition phase change is when gas particles transform directly into a solid without becoming a liquid first.

The attractive force between oppositely charged regions of polar molecules

Dipole-dipole force

The attractive force between oppositely charged regions of polar molecules. Dipole-dipole force. This force occurs when the positive end of one polar molecule attracts the negative end of another polar molecule.

The weak force between charged regions created by shifting electrons

Dispersion force

The weak force between charged regions created by shifting electrons. Dispersion force. A dispersion force is a weak attraction between molecules due to temporary shifts in electron density.

A collision where kinetic energy is transferred between particles but their total kinetic energy remains the same

Elastic collision

A collision where kinetic energy is transferred between particles but their total kinetic energy remains the same. Elastic collision. It is a type of collision where no energy is lost, and the objects bounce off each other completely.

The top of liquid changing into a gas

Evaporation

The top of liquid changing into a gas. Evaporation. Evaporation is when liquid water turns into water vapor and rises into the air.

The temperature at which a liquid changes to a solid

Freezing point

The temperature at which a liquid changes to a solid. Freezing point. The freezing point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a solid, like when water freezes to become ice.

The energy required to change a substance from a solid to a liquid

Heat of fusion

The energy required to change a substance from a solid to a liquid. Heat of fusion. It is the amount of energy needed to melt a solid into a liquid without changing its temperature.

The energy required to change a liquid at its boiling point into a gas

Heat of vaporization

The energy required to change a liquid at its boiling point into a gas. Heat of vaporization. Heat of vaporization is the amount of energy needed to turn a liquid into a gas at its boiling point without changing its temperature.

A weak bond of attraction between a hydrogen atom and another atom

Hydrogen bond

A weak bond of attraction between a hydrogen atom and another atom. Hydrogen bond. It's a connection where the slightly positive hydrogen atom in one molecule is attracted to a slightly negative atom, like oxygen or nitrogen, in another molecule.

The relatively weak attraction between molecules

Intermolecular force

The relatively weak attraction between molecules. Intermolecular force. Intermolecular force is the force that holds molecules close to each other, affecting their physical properties like boiling and melting points.

States that particles in matter constantly collide without losing energy

Kinetic-molecular theory

States that particles in matter constantly collide without losing energy. Kinetic-molecular theory. It explains how the tiny particles in matter move around and interact, helping us understand things like gases and temperature.

The weak intermolecular force which results when unevenly distributed electrons create a temporary dipole

London dispersion force

The weak intermolecular force which results when unevenly distributed electrons create a temporary dipole. London dispersion force. London dispersion force is a temporary attractive force that occurs when electrons in adjacent atoms shift, causing a fleeting attraction.

The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid

Melting point

The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid. Melting point. The melting point is the specific temperature where a solid substance turns into a liquid.

The boiling point of a liquid at 1 atm pressure

Normal boiling point

The boiling point of a liquid at 1 atm pressure. Normal boiling point. The normal boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas when the atmospheric pressure is at sea level.

The SI unit of pressure, it is equal to 1 newton per square meter

Pascal

The SI unit of pressure, it is equal to 1 newton per square meter. Pascal. A pascal measures how much force is applied over a certain area.

A graph showing the temperature and pressure at which a substance exists as a solid, liquid, and vapor

Phase diagram

A graph showing the temperature and pressure at which a substance exists as a solid, liquid, and vapor. Phase diagram. A phase diagram displays the conditions under which a substance transitions between solid, liquid, and gas.

Force exerted per unit area

Pressure

Force exerted per unit area. Pressure. Pressure is how much force is applied over a specific area.

The state of matter with definite shape and volume

Solid

The state of matter with definite shape and volume. Solid. Solids are materials whose molecules are packed closely together, giving them a fixed shape and volume.

A unit of pressure equal to 101,325 Pa, or which supports a 760 mm column of mercury

Standard atmosphere

A unit of pressure equal to 101,325 Pa, or which supports a 760 mm column of mercury. Standard atmosphere. It is the average pressure at sea level on Earth.

The change of state from a solid directly to a gas

Sublimation

The change of state from a solid directly to a gas. Sublimation. Sublimation is when a solid turns straight into a gas without becoming a liquid first, like dry ice turning into carbon dioxide gas.

The force acting on particles at the surface of a liquid

Surface tension

The force acting on particles at the surface of a liquid. Surface tension. Surface tension is the invisible "skin" on a liquid's surface that keeps things like small insects from sinking.

How hot or cold something is, it is determined by the kinetic energy of its particles

Temperature

How hot or cold something is, it is determined by the kinetic energy of its particles. Temperature. Temperature is a measure of how fast the particles in a substance are moving.

The temperature and pressure at which the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of a substance are in equilibrium

Triple point

The temperature and pressure at which the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of a substance are in equilibrium. Triple point. The triple point is where a substance can exist in all three statessolid, liquid, and gasat the same time.

The smallest repeating pattern of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystal lattice

Unit cell

The smallest repeating pattern of atoms, ions, or molecules in a crystal lattice. Unit cell. In simple terms, a unit cell is the basic building block of a crystal, like a tiny Lego piece that repeats to form the whole structure.

The pressure exerted by a vapor on a liquid when they are in equilibrium

Vapor pressure

The pressure exerted by a vapor on a liquid when they are in equilibrium. Vapor pressure. Vapor pressure is the force exerted by a vapor above a liquid when both are in balance and no net evaporation or condensation occurs.

The change of state from liquid to gas

Vaporization

The change of state from liquid to gas. Vaporization. Vaporization is when a liquid turns into a gas, like water boiling into steam.

A fluid's resistance to flowing

Viscosity

A fluid's resistance to flowing. Viscosity. It's a measure of how thick or sticky a fluid is, affecting how easily it pours or moves.