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Year 9 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.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

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

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

  3. 3.An incense stick is lit in one corner of a room and the fragrance is soon noticed across it. What does that show?

    • a) The fragrance particles are pulled towards people
    • b) The particles of air are moving constantly and carry the fragrance particles with them
    • c) Air particles stand still while the fragrance particles push past them
    • d) Smoke is heavier than air and rolls along the floor

  4. 4.Now sort the same three by how much room sits between their particles.

    Groups: Least space between particles · A little more space than in a solid · Most space between particles

    • Liquid
    • Gas
    • Solid

  5. 5.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) Vapours
    • b) Solutions
    • c) Mixtures
    • d) Fluids

  6. 6.Match each solid from the chapter's table to its melting point, in degrees Celsius.

    • Ice
    • Urea
    • Iron
    • 1538
    • 0
    • 133

  7. 7.In the chapter's table, ice melts at 0 °C and urea at 133 °C. The third solid listed melts at 1538 °C. Which solid is that? Give the one word.

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

Answer key — Year 9 Science — The particulate nature of matter

  1. 1. Solid → Strongest attraction; Liquid → Slightly weaker than in a solid; Gas → Negligible attraction
  2. 2. 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
  3. 3. b) The particles of air are moving constantly and carry the fragrance particles with them
  4. 4. Solid → Least space between particles; Liquid → A little more space than in a solid; Gas → Most space between particles
  5. 5. d) Fluids
  6. 6. Ice → 0; Urea → 133; Iron → 1538
  7. 7. iron
  8. 8. a) In the hot water, because heating makes the particles move faster