Physical Properties of the States of Matter:

PROPERTY

SOLID

LIQUID

GAS

shape

fixed

same as container
(indefinite)

same as container (indefinite)

volume

definite

definite

fills entire container (indefinite)

ability to flow

no

yes

yes

can be compressed

very slightly

very slightly

yes

volume change with heating

very small

small

large

 

 Describing Matter

  • Intensive Properties: properties that do not depend on the amount of matter. 
    Some examples are:  colour, odour, density, melting point

  • Extensive Properties: properties that do depend on the amount of matter. 
    Some examples are:  mass and volume

  • Characteristic Physical Properties: 
    Properties that are unique for each substance and are used to identify the substance itself.

 How to Describe Matter (Qualitative & Quantitative Observations)

                1.  Physical State: solid, liquid, gas.

                2.  Colour:              green, blue, yellow, black, reddish-brown, etc.

                3.  Odour:               odourless, flowery, spicy, nauseating, etc.

                4.  Clarity:              clear, cloudy, opaque.

                5.  Luster:               shiny, dull.

                6.  Form:                 regular (crystalline), irregular (amorphous)

                7.  Texture:             how  does it feel?  fine, coarse, smooth, waxy, etc.

                8.  Hardness:         can it be scratched easily?  scale from 1-10
                                              (e.g. talcum-1, diamond-10)

                9.  Brittleness:       can it break apart or shatter easily?  brittle or flexible

                10.  Malleability:   can it be bent and folded into different shapes?  malleable or non-malleable

                11.  Ductility:         can it be stretched out into a long wire?  ductile or non-ductile

                12.  Viscosity:  can the substance flow?  viscous or non-viscous                      


CHANGES OF STATES OF MATTER

The water cycle, illustrated above, shows the changes of states of water from solid to liquid, to gas.

When a state of matter gains or looses heat it undergoes a change.

A gain in heat is called an endothermic change.  A loss in heat is called an exothermic change.

The table below summarizes the six changes of states that matter can undergo.
It also indicates if heat is added or removed for the change to take place.

Change From To Heat Examples
Sublimation solid gas or vapour added = endothermic Moth crystals disappear when left in a closet for several days
Sublimation gas or vapour solid removed =  exothermic frost forms on a car's windshield
Evaporation or vapourization liquid gas added = endothermic Rain dries up when the sun comes out
Melting or Liquefaction solid liquid added = endothermic
An ice cube turns into water when left out of the freezer
Freezing or Solidification liquid solid removed =  exothermic
A bottle of water will turn into ice if left in the freezer

Condensation

gas or vapour liquid removed =  exothermic Drops of water form on the mirror when taking a hot shower