Structure of Matter

State of matter is defined in terms of the phase transitions which indicate the change in structure and properties. Solids, liquids and gases all are made up of microscopic particles. The behavior of all these particles also varies in three phases.


The Concept of Matter

Matter is anything, such as a solid, liquid or gas, that has weight (mass) and occupies space. For anything to occupy space, it must have volume.


The Particular Nature of Matter

Matter is made up of tiny particles. The particles are atom or molecules, examples of substances, which are made up of atoms, are: gold, copper, Argon and silver; and those made up of molecules includes oxygen, water and ammonia.

 In  solid,  storm's  attractive  forces  hold  molecules  together  so  that  they  are  not  free  to move but they can only vibrate about their mean positions.

 In liquids there are weak forces of attraction between molecules therefore the molecules are free to move randomly. The distances between molecules in liquids are therefore are larger than in solids.

 In case of gases the molecules experience very weak forces of attraction and hence they are free to move randomly filling the whole space of the containing vessel. The distances between molecules in gases are comparatively greater than those in solids and liquids as shown in the figure below.

The Kinetic Theory of Matter

Generally, when solid particles are placed in the source of lead the particles tends to move from hot area to cold areas. These particles move because it gains energy that called it Kinetic energy.

Kinetic theory of matter sometimes attempts to explain how properties of gases like pressure, temperature and volume remain in constant motion.


There are three main parts of the Kinetic theory of matter.
This includes:

1. Matter is made up of tiny invisible part.

2. Matter comes in different sizes.

3. There is a point that the smallest particles of matter can be the fastest.


Therefore  kinetic  theory  of  matter  states,  “All  matter  is  composed  of  small  particles” Or “Particles  of  matter  are  in  steady  motion  and  that all impacts between the units of matter are completely elastic”


Three States of Matter

There are three states of matter, namely:
1. Solid state
2. Liquid state
3. Gaseous state


Solid state is the state of matter, which include solid materials, in which the intermolecular force between molecules are greatest and distance between molecules is small. Examples of solid state are wood, iron, etc.

Liquid state is the one of the state of matter in which the intermolecular forces are low compared to solid state, there is greater distance between one molecule and another. See on figure 1.0 (b) examples water, soda, kerosene, and petroleum.

Gaseous state is the state of matter in which there is no intermolecular forces between molecules hence molecules are free to move from one place to another examples of gases are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide gas.


Difference between solid state, liquid state and gaseous state of matter

Solid state

Liquid state

Gaseous state.

 

 

 

It concerns with solid matter

It concerns with liquids/ fluids matter

It concerns with gases

 

 

 

Have high intermolecular

Low intermolecular force

No intermolecular force

 

 

 

No distance between molecules

There is little distance between molecules

Molecules are far from each other

 

 

 

Good  examples  are  iron  materials,

Good  examples  are  water,  soda,  kerosene

Good  examples  are  oxygen  an

woods etc.

and petrol

hydrogen

 

 

 


 

Brownian Movement

According to Robert Brown: Brownian movement refers to the irregular motion of tiny particles suspended in fluid (liquid organs).
Robert Brown, an English Botanist, powered some pollen grain in water and observed that particles floating in the water were darting about.



Consider the demonstration below...



The irregular motion of tiny particles suspended in a fluid (fluid or gas) is called Brownian movement.
The tiny particles dart about because liquid molecules that are in state of motion bombard them.


Elasticity

When a force is applied to a body the dimension of the body is usually altered. If an iron wire is stretched by small force applied to it longitudinally, the wire returns to its original shape and size when the force is removed.

Elasticity can be defined as the property of the iron wire by which it recovers its original shape and size on removal of the stretching force.


The Relationship between Tension and Extension of a Loaded Elastic Material
Consider the graph below:
Point A is called the elastic limit. The straight region OA of the graph has a slope K given by the ratio.

K= Tension/Extension
The ratio is called the force constant or coefficient of stiffness of the wire and it is expressed in newton per metre (N/M)

The Application of Elasticity in Real Life

In everyday life we often actually do the activities that are concerned with the application of physics. Here are some of the application of physics in everyday life especially in the application of Elasticity:

 Spring mattress. When you sit or sleep on a spring mattress, futon style push your weight. Pressured by the compressed spring mattress. Due to the nature of its elasticity, stretch a spring mattress again. Spring will be stretched and compressed, and so on.

 Spring that is used as shock absorbers on motorcycles. Springs used in the suspension systems of motor vehicles. The purpose of this is to dampen spring a surprise when a motorcycle driven through an uneven road surface.

 Another simple example and that you may often come across is the catapult. When it was about to shoot birds with catapults for example, rubber slingshots first stretch (given the gravity). Due to the nature of its elasticity, long rubber slingshots will return to normal after a tensile force is removed.