About this Flash Card Set
14 Cards
by ethan_walsh
Understand how particles behave in each state of matter and what happens during every phase change. A clear, beginner-friendly review with everyday examples.
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Describe the particles in a solid.
Back
Particles are packed tightly in a fixed, orderly arrangement and only vibrate in place. This gives a solid a definite shape and volume — like an ice cube.
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Describe the particles in a liquid.
Back
Particles are close together but can slide past one another. A liquid keeps a definite volume but takes the shape of its container — like water in a glass.
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Describe the particles in a gas.
Back
Particles are far apart, move quickly, and fill any container. A gas has no definite shape or volume — like air or water vapor.
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Front
What is plasma?
Back
A superheated, high-energy state where electrons are stripped from atoms, creating charged ions. It is the most common state in the universe — found in stars, lightning, and neon signs.
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Front
What is melting?
Back
The change from solid to liquid as heat is added. For example, ice melting into water. It occurs at the melting point.
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What is freezing?
Back
The change from liquid to solid as heat is removed. For example, water freezing into ice. It releases energy (exothermic).
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What is vaporization (boiling)?
Back
The change from liquid to gas as heat is added. Boiling occurs throughout the liquid at the boiling point — like water turning to steam.
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What is condensation?
Back
The change from gas to liquid as heat is removed. For example, water vapor forming dew or fog on a cold glass.
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What is sublimation?
Back
The change directly from solid to gas, skipping the liquid state. For example, dry ice (solid CO2) turning straight into gas.
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What is deposition?
Back
The change directly from gas to solid, skipping the liquid state. For example, water vapor forming frost on a cold window.
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Front
Which phase changes are endothermic?
Back
Melting, vaporization, and sublimation absorb energy (endothermic) because particles need energy to move apart and speed up.
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Which phase changes are exothermic?
Back
Freezing, condensation, and deposition release energy (exothermic) because particles slow down and settle closer together.
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Front
What happens to particles as you add heat?
Back
They gain kinetic energy and move faster. This can raise the temperature or, at a phase change, break the forces holding particles together while temperature stays constant.
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Front
Define melting point and boiling point.
Back
The melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid. The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas. For water: 0°C and 100°C at sea level.
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