Use particles to compare states
See this course’s project requirements
A particle-model notebook explaining states, mixtures, elements, compounds, mass conservation and a physical separation plan from supplied materials.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- Separate measurements from particle explanations.
- Compare solid, liquid and gas models without inflating individual particles.
- Classify all supplied element, compound and mixture drawings.
- Name state transitions while preserving substance identity.
- Balance the supplied closed-system mass stores.
- Choose paper separation methods by recovery goal and complete changed cases.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Method: applies the course-specific rules to the supplied cases with visible intermediate work.
- Accuracy: results agree with the stated facts, units, boundaries and independent checks.
- Reasoning: explains why the result follows and identifies a limitation or unresolved question.
- Transfer: completes changed cases and revises the final project when a relevant assumption changes.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Three supplied models of the same substance: S—closely packed particles vibrating about relative positions; L—close particles rearrange; G—widely spaced moving particles. Containers are rigid. S retains shape; L flows with nearly fixed volume; G fills available volume.
In a solid model, particles remain near fixed relative positions while vibrating; a liquid’s particles remain close but can rearrange; a gas’s particles are widely separated and move through available space. Particles themselves do not become larger when a sample expands. State behavior depends on conditions and particle interactions.
Use particles to compare states — worked practice
In a solid model, particles remain near fixed relative positions while vibrating; a liquid’s particles remain close but can rearrange; a gas’s particles are widely separated and move through available space. Particles themselves do not become larger when a sample expands. State behavior depends on conditions and particle interactions.
Three supplied models of the same substance: S—closely packed particles vibrating about relative positions; L—close particles rearrange; G—widely spaced moving particles. Containers are rigid. S retains shape; L flows with nearly fixed volume; G fills available volume.
1. 1. Match
Match each particle description to a state.
You should see: S solid; L liquid; G gas.
2. 2. Explain
Connect rearrangement to the liquid’s changing shape.
You should see: Close particles can move past one another, so the liquid follows its container shape.
3. 3. Contrast
Connect gas spacing and motion to filling the container.
You should see: Particles spread through available volume; they still have mass.
4. 4. Correct
Repair “gas particles grow to fill the room.”
You should see: The spacing and occupied region change; the individual particles are not inflated.
What to finish
Three labeled particle-state descriptions with one corrected misconception.
Watch for this
Expansion increases the space occupied and typical separation under the modeled conditions. It does not require particles themselves to grow.
How can I tell I understand it?
Identify a changed state description from its behavior and particle arrangement.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
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Source & access notes · checked 2026-10-01
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