General Science States of Matter + The Gas Laws ‘07-’08

Three states of Matter Solid Liquid Gas

Solid Solids have a definite volume and a definite shape. The particles are packed tightly together and stay in one position. The particles vibrate slightly between each other… so they’re not completely motionless.

Liquid –Liquids have a definite volume but not a definite shape. –They take on the shape of the container –The particles are somewhat packed together and move around.

Gas –Gases do no definite volume and no definite shape. –The particles are spread out and move around a lot.

Specific Characteristics of Gases They expand –They spread out to fill the shape and volume of the container Exert pressure –The particles push on the sides of their container

Specific Characteristics of Gases Low density –They don’t have a lot of mass in a given amount of space –Things sink in the air. If gases had a high density, things wouldn’t sink but float up!

Diffusion Particles move from areas of high concentration to low concentration Example: an open bottle of perfume

Four Variables of Gases Amount –The number of individual gas particles Volume –The amount of space the gas takes up

Four Variables of Gases Temperature –The faster the particles move, the higher the temperature –thermometer Pressure –Measured in atmospheres (atm) –The force the gas exerts on the object it touches

Boyle’s Law The volume of a certain amount of gas is inversely proportional to the pressure, if the temperature doesn’t change. –If one goes up, the other goes down. Examples - Your lungs use Boyle’s law to function - A potato gun

Boyle’s Law cartoon

Charles’ Law The volume of a gas is directly related to the temperature if the pressure remains constant. –If one goes up, the other goes up… Examples - Tires get hotter the more you ride on them - Hot air balloons use Charles law to get bigger!