New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

Predicting states of matter and limitations of the particle model

I can use the particle model to predict the state of matter of a substance at different temperatures and discuss the limitations of this model for explaining how particles behave.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

Predicting states of matter and limitations of the particle model

I can use the particle model to predict the state of matter of a substance at different temperatures and discuss the limitations of this model for explaining how particles behave.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are changes in arrangement, movement and energy of particles during state changes.
  2. There are two types of change; physical and chemical, and the physical state of a substance can be predicted.
  3. The attraction between particles has a role in determining the amount of energy needed for state changes.
  4. The particle model has limitations, for example by showing particles as same sized, inelastic spheres.
  5. The model does not show the attraction between the particles which affects the amount of energy needed to change state.

Common misconception

Pupils often confuse physical and chemical changes and think that all particles look and act like those shown in the particle model.

Give the pupils an array of different examples of physical and chemical reactions and get the pupils to consider if new substances have been produced. Show the pupils, using molymods, how different molecules can be.

Keywords

  • Physical change - A change in which no new substances are formed, such as a change in state, e.g. melting.

  • Chemical change - Occurs when a reaction takes place and atoms or ions in the reactants are rearranged to make new products/substances.

  • Particle model - A model that helps us to understand physical properties of substances. It uses circles or spheres to represent particles, i.e. atoms or compounds.

  • Limitation of a model - A point at which we cannot use the model to help us explain a scientific phenomena.

Use different strength magnets to help pupils understand forces of attraction having varying strengths.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Optional: pair of magnets that have different magnetic strengths.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following statements can correctly finish this sentence? Substances in a solid state ...
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: cannot be compressed.
Correct answer: do not take the shape of the container they are in.
have larger particles than all substances in a liquid state.
have particles which have no energy at all.
Correct answer: have particles that vibrate around their fixed positions.
Q2.
Which of the following statements can correctly finish this sentence? Substances in a liquid state …
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: at their boiling point can form bubbles of the substance anywhere in the liquid.
Correct answer: cannot be compressed.
Correct answer: have particles at the surface which may have enough energy to escape.
have particles that cannot move around and over each other.
Correct answer: take the shape of the bottom of the container they are in.
Q3.
Which of the following statements can correctly finish this sentence? Substances in a gas state …
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: are formed in the bubbles inside a liquid at boiling point.
Correct answer: can be compressed.
have particles that are not attracted to each other at all, ever.
Correct answer: have particles that can escape an open container to fill all the space.
Correct answer: take the shape of the whole of the container they are in.
Q4.
As particles gain energy, they are able to overcome the between them.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: forces of attraction
Q5.
Which aspects of a particle change when a substance’s state of matter changes?
Correct answer: arrangement relative to other particles
Correct answer: energy of particle
Correct answer: movement of particle
shape of particle
size of particle
Q6.
Match the following terms to their definitions.
Correct Answer:boiling point,temperature where substance changes from liquid state to gas state

temperature where substance changes from liquid state to gas state

Correct Answer:condensing point,temperature where substance changes from gas state to liquid state

temperature where substance changes from gas state to liquid state

Correct Answer:freezing point,temperature where substance changes from liquid state to solid state

temperature where substance changes from liquid state to solid state

Correct Answer:melting point,temperature where substance changes from solid state to liquid state

temperature where substance changes from solid state to liquid state

6 Questions

Q1.
In the main image, the important information has been replaced with grey boxes. Which of the three answer images is an accurate representation of a chemical change of substances in the same state?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q2.
Sort the following states and the temperatures at which changes of state occur into the correct order, starting with a substance in the gas state.
1 - substance in the gas state
2 - condensing point
3 - substance in the liquid state
4 - freezing point
5 - substance in the solid state
Q3.
At which temperature are all of the following substances in a liquid state?
An image in a quiz
at -200$$^o$$C
at 25$$^o$$C
at 1500$$^o$$C
between 0 and 100$$^o$$C
Correct answer: never
Q4.
Three balloons are filled with neon, methane and oxygen, respectively (see image). Why would you expect the substance in the middle balloon to have the highest boiling point?
An image in a quiz
it has more than one type of atom in its molecules
it has strong covalent bonds in the molecules
Correct answer: it has stronger intermolecular forces between the particles
it has the biggest particles and they do not move
Q5.
Which of the following statements are correct?
ionic substances have weak electrostatic forces of attraction
Correct answer: metallic bonds are the attraction between metal ions and delocalised electrons
Correct answer: particles are shown as solid spheres but are mainly empty space
Correct answer: small covalent substances have weak forces of attraction between molecules
Correct answer: the particle model does not show the movement or elasticity of particles
Q6.
The image shows the sublimation of carbon dioxide. What are some of the limitations of this representation?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: the model does not show attraction between particles which affects state change
Correct answer: the model does not show bonds or forces
the model shows metallic bonding incorrectly
Correct answer: the particles are all shown as having the same size
Correct answer: the particles are shown as inelastic spheres
Q4 "Relating Pressure, Volume, Amount and Temperature" Source: Openstax (https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/9-2-relating-pressure-volume-amount-and-temperature-the-ideal-gas-law) licensed under CC BY 4.0