Unique Characteristics of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Shape and Volume:
Solids: Solids keep their shape and have a fixed amount of space they take up. This is because the tiny particles inside them are held together tightly. For example, a typical solid like iron has a density of about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
Liquids: Liquids change their shape to fit whatever container they are in, but they still have a fixed volume. Their density can vary; for example, organic solvents might have a density of about 0.6 grams per cubic centimeter, while water has a density of about 1.0 grams per cubic centimeter.
Gases: Gases don’t have a definite shape or a fixed volume. They spread out to fill the entire space of their container. The density of a gas, like air, is much lighter, around 0.0012 grams per cubic centimeter.
Intermolecular Distance:
Solids: The particles in solids are packed closely together, around 0.3 nanometers apart.
Liquids: The particles in liquids are further apart compared to solids, about 1 nanometer apart.
Gases: The particles in gases are spaced far apart, about 10 nanometers from each other.
Compressibility:
Solids: Solids don't change in size much, so we say they are incompressible.
Liquids: Liquids can be squeezed a little, so they are slightly compressible.
Gases: Gases can be compressed a lot. Under pressure, their volume can change by up to 1000 times!
Unique Characteristics of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Shape and Volume:
Solids: Solids keep their shape and have a fixed amount of space they take up. This is because the tiny particles inside them are held together tightly. For example, a typical solid like iron has a density of about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
Liquids: Liquids change their shape to fit whatever container they are in, but they still have a fixed volume. Their density can vary; for example, organic solvents might have a density of about 0.6 grams per cubic centimeter, while water has a density of about 1.0 grams per cubic centimeter.
Gases: Gases don’t have a definite shape or a fixed volume. They spread out to fill the entire space of their container. The density of a gas, like air, is much lighter, around 0.0012 grams per cubic centimeter.
Intermolecular Distance:
Solids: The particles in solids are packed closely together, around 0.3 nanometers apart.
Liquids: The particles in liquids are further apart compared to solids, about 1 nanometer apart.
Gases: The particles in gases are spaced far apart, about 10 nanometers from each other.
Compressibility:
Solids: Solids don't change in size much, so we say they are incompressible.
Liquids: Liquids can be squeezed a little, so they are slightly compressible.
Gases: Gases can be compressed a lot. Under pressure, their volume can change by up to 1000 times!