IGCSE Chemistry Notes Solids, liquids and gases

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IGCSE Chemistry SOlids / Liquids and Gases/ Solved Exam Question

0620_W21_QP_42 – Question 1(a)

1 This question is about states of matter.

(a) Complete the table, using ticks and crosses, to describe the properties of gases, liquids and solids.

state of matter	particles are touching	particles have random movement	particles are regularly arranged
gas
liquid
solid

[3]

Show answer

1 mark for each correct row

State	touching	random movement	regularly arranged
gas
liquid
solid

Syllabus Objectives

CORE OBJECTIVES:

State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases
Describe the structures of solids, liquids and gases in terms of particle separation, arrangement and motion
Describe changes of state in terms of melting, boiling, evaporating, freezing and condensing
Describe the effects of temperature and pressure on the volume of a gas

Revision Notes

IGCSE Chemistry Diagrams for States of Matter 2026/2027/2028 Exams

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IGCSE Chemistry Diagrams for States of Matter for 2026/2027/2028 Exams

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IGCSE Chemistry PDF Notes IGCSE Chemistry Summary Notes

IGCSE Chemistry PDF Notes

Access complete IGCSE Chemistry PDF notes covering core topics, explanations, definitions, reactions, and key concepts designed for effective learning and revision.

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IGCSE Chemistry Notes Solids, liquids and gases

Explore concise IGCSE Chemistry summary notes that help students revise important ideas quickly with simplified explanations and topic-based points.

Distinguishing Properties of Solids, Liquids, and Gases

Solids:
- Particles are closely packed in a fixed, orderly arrangement.
- Particles vibrate in fixed positions but do not move around.
- Solids have definite shape and volume.
Liquids:
- Particles are closely packed but can slide past each other.
- Particles move more freely than in solids.
- Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
Gases:
- Particles are far apart and move randomly at high speeds.
- Particles move freely and fill the entire volume of their container.
- Gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume.

Structure of Solids, Liquids, and Gases

Solids:
- Particles are tightly packed in a regular pattern.
- Strong intermolecular forces hold the particles together.
- Low kinetic energy, leading to only vibrational movement.
Liquids:
- Particles are close but not in a fixed position.
- Weaker intermolecular forces than in solids.
- Higher kinetic energy than solids, allowing for particle movement past one another.
Gases:
- Particles are far apart with no regular arrangement.
- Negligible intermolecular forces.
- High kinetic energy, resulting in rapid and random movement.

Changes of State

Melting:
- Solid to liquid.
- Heat increases particle vibration until particles can move past each other.
Boiling:
- Liquid to gas.
- Heat provides enough energy for particles to overcome intermolecular forces and spread out.
Evaporating:
- Liquid to gas (occurs at the surface of the liquid).
- Particles with enough energy escape into the gas phase.
Freezing:
- Liquid to solid.
- Loss of heat energy reduces particle movement, allowing intermolecular forces to hold particles in a fixed position.
Condensing:
- Gas to liquid.
- Loss of heat energy slows particles, allowing intermolecular forces to pull them closer together.

Effects of Temperature and Pressure on the Volume of a Gas

Temperature:
- Increasing temperature increases the kinetic energy of gas particles, causing them to move faster and expand, increasing the volume.
- Decreasing temperature reduces the kinetic energy, causing the gas to contract and decrease in volume.
Pressure:
- Increasing pressure forces gas particles closer together, decreasing the volume.
- Decreasing pressure allows gas particles to move apart, increasing the volume.

IGCSE Chemistry States of Matter Notes / Test Your Progress

Click the highlighted blanks to reveal the correct answer.

1 Distinguishing Properties of Solids, Liquids, and Gases

1. In solids, particles are closely packed in a fixed

________________ orderly arrangement

2. In solids, particles

________________ vibrate

in fixed positions.

3. Liquids have a definite

________________ volume

but take the shape of their container.

4. In liquids, particles can

________________ slide past each other

5. Gas particles move

________________ randomly at high speeds

6. Gases have neither definite shape nor definite

________________ volume

2 Structure of Solids, Liquids, and Gases

7. In solids, particles are tightly packed in a

________________ regular pattern

8. Particles in solids are held together by strong

________________ intermolecular forces

9. Solids have low

________________ kinetic energy

10. Liquids have

________________ weaker intermolecular forces

than solids.

11. Gas particles have

________________ negligible intermolecular forces

12. Gas particles have high

________________ kinetic energy

3 Changes of State

13. The change of state from solid to liquid is called

________________ melting

14. The change of state from liquid to gas is called

________________ boiling

15. Liquid changing to gas at the surface is called

________________ evaporation

16. The change of state from liquid to solid is called

________________ freezing

17. The change of state from gas to liquid is called

________________ condensation

4 Effects of Temperature and Pressure on Gas Volume

18. Increasing temperature increases the

________________ kinetic energy

19. When temperature increases, gases

________________ expand

20. Increasing pressure forces gas particles

________________ closer together

21. Decreasing pressure allows gas particles to move

________________ further apart

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