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Year 8 Science — The particulate nature of matter

Explain the three states of matter by how tightly their particles are held and how much space sits between them.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.The particles of a solid are closely packed, but a little space is still left between them. What does the chapter say is in that space?

    • a) Air
    • b) Smaller particles of the same substance
    • c) Water vapour
    • d) Nothing

  2. 2.A grain of potassium permanganate is dropped into hot water, water at room temperature and ice-cold water. Where does the colour spread fastest, and why?

    • a) In the ice-cold water, because cold water holds more colour
    • b) At the same rate in each of the three, because the grain is the same size
    • c) In the hot water, because heating makes the particles move faster
    • d) In the room-temperature water, because the particles are most settled there

  3. 3.What are the spaces between the particles of a substance called? Give the two words.

  4. 4.Liquids and gases share two properties that solids do not: they flow, and they do not hold a fixed shape. What are the two of them called together?

    • a) Mixtures
    • b) Vapours
    • c) Fluids
    • d) Solutions

  5. 5.Sort the three states of matter by how strongly their particles pull on one another.

    Groups: Strongest attraction · Slightly weaker than in a solid · Negligible attraction

    • Liquid
    • Solid
    • Gas

  6. 6.What is the difference between boiling and evaporation, as the chapter puts it?

    • a) Boiling happens at the surface; evaporation happens throughout the liquid
    • b) Boiling is slow and evaporation is fast
    • c) Boiling turns a liquid into a solid; evaporation turns it into a gas
    • d) Boiling happens at one temperature and throughout the liquid; evaporation happens at any temperature and at the surface

  7. 7.Match each state of matter to what it does about shape and volume.

    • A solid
    • A liquid
    • A gas
    • keeps a definite volume but takes the shape of its container
    • keeps neither shape nor volume, and spreads through the space available
    • keeps a definite shape and a definite volume

  8. 8.A solid is heated until it melts. Put the four stages back into order.

    • The vibrations grow strong enough that particles leave their positions
    • The particles vibrate more vigorously
    • The solid turns into a liquid
    • The interparticle forces of attraction weaken

Answer key — Year 8 Science — The particulate nature of matter

  1. 1. d) Nothing
  2. 2. c) In the hot water, because heating makes the particles move faster
  3. 3.
    • interparticle spaces
    • interparticle space
  4. 4. c) Fluids
  5. 5. Solid → Strongest attraction; Liquid → Slightly weaker than in a solid; Gas → Negligible attraction
  6. 6. d) Boiling happens at one temperature and throughout the liquid; evaporation happens at any temperature and at the surface
  7. 7. A solid → keeps a definite shape and a definite volume; A liquid → keeps a definite volume but takes the shape of its container; A gas → keeps neither shape nor volume, and spreads through the space available
  8. 8. 1. The particles vibrate more vigorously 2. The vibrations grow strong enough that particles leave their positions 3. The interparticle forces of attraction weaken 4. The solid turns into a liquid