1. States of Matter and Particle Motion Tutorial
Physical Science
States of Matter and Particle Motion Tutorial

2. Curriculum Standard
This tutorial supports the following State of New York 8th grade curriculum standard:
SPI : Compare the particle arrangement and type of particle motion associated with different states of matter.

3. Menu Matter Particle Motion of Solids Particle Motion of Liquids
Particle Motion of Gases
Click to return to the Menu from any page.

4. Matter Matter is anything that has mass and volume.
There are three main types of matter. They are solid, liquid, and gas.
Click here to learn more about the types of matter.

5. States of Matter
The state of matter is determined by the movement of particles within the matter.
Solids Liquids Gases
Select a state of matter above to learn more about it or click here to take the Matter Self Quiz.

6. Matter Self Quiz Question #1
Matter is anything that has __________ and ___________.
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Answer #1
Matter is anything that has mass and volume.
Click here to go to Question #2.

7. Matter Self Quiz Question #2 What are the 3 main types of matter?
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Answer #2
Solids, liquids, and gases.
Click here to go to Question #3.

8. Matter Self Quiz Question #3 What determines the state of matter?
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Answer #3
The movement of particles.
End of Quiz. Click here to return to States of Matter.

9. Particle Motion of Solids
The particles in solids don’t move much, but they do vibrate slightly.
Notice how the solid maintains its shape in the container.
There are two basic types of particle arrangement in solids. Click here to find out more.

10. Crystalline vs. Amorphous Solids
Crystalline Solids
The particles in a crystalline solid are arranged in a repeating pattern.
Amorphous Solids
The particles in an amorphous solid are arranged randomly.
To review solids, try this!
To return to States of Matter, click here.
To take the Solids Self Quiz, click here.

11. Solids Self Quiz Question #1 How do the particles in solids move?
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Answer #1
They don’t move much, they only vibrate slightly.
Click here to go to Question #2.

12. Solids Self Quiz Question #2
True or False: If you add heat to the particles of a solid, they will move faster.
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Answer #2
True.
Click here to go to Question #3.

13. Solids Self Quiz Question #3
True or False: solids have a definite shape and volume.
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Answer #3
True.
Click here to go to Question #4.

14. Solids Self Quiz Question #4 What are the two types of solids?
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Answer #4
Crystalline and amorphous.
Click here to go to Question #5.

15. Solids Self Quiz Question #5
Which of the two types of solids have particles arranged in a set pattern?
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Answer #5
Crystalline.
End of Quiz. Click here to return to States of Matter.

16. Particle Motion of Liquids
The particles in liquids slide past one another.
As you can see, a liquid will take the shape of its container.
Want more information? Click here.

17. Particle Motion of Liquids
Surface tension is the attraction of molecules to one another in a liquid.
To see surface tension in action, click here.
To return to States of Matter, click here.
To take the Liquids Self Quiz, click here.

18. Liquids Self Quiz Question #1 How do the particles in liquids move?
Click here for answer.
Answer #1
They slide past one another.
Click here to go to Question #2.

19. Liquids Self Quiz Question #2
True or False: Liquids have a definite shape and volume.
Click here for answer.
Answer #2
False. They have a definite volume, but they take the shape of the container they are in.
Click here to go to Question #3.

20. Liquids Self Quiz Question #3
What property of a liquid allows you to drink through a straw?
Click here for answer.
Answer #3
Surface tension. It holds the particles together, pulling them through the straw.
End of Quiz. Click here to return to States of Matter.

21. Particle Motion of Gases
Gas particles move fast and strike one another.
Gases spread out to fill their container. What does this tell you about their shape and volume?
Want to know how to find the volume of a gas? Check this out!

22. Volume of a Gas
The volume of a gas is found by measuring the volume of the container the gas is in.
Want to know why?
Click here.
To return to States of Matter, click here.
To take the Gases Self Quiz, click here.

23. Gases Self Quiz Question #1 How do the particles in gases move?
Click here for answer.
Answer #1
They move very fast and strike one another.
Click here to go to Question #2.

24. Gases Self Quiz Question #2
True or False: Gases have a definite shape and volume.
Click here for answer.
Answer #2
False. Gases take the shape and volume of the container they are in.
Click here to go to Question #3.

25. Gases Self Quiz Question #3 How do you measure the volume of a gas?
Click here for answer.
Answer #3
You measure the volume of the container the gas is in.
End of Quiz. Click here to return to States of Matter.

26. References
Benson, Tom. (Designer). (2009). Fixed and animated images of matter. [Web]. Retrieved from
Classroom Video. (Producer). (1998). Gas has volume. [Web]. Retrieved from
Damon, A. W. (Designer). (2009). Fixed and animated images of matter. [Web]. Retrieved from
Daniel, L., Rillero, P., Biggs, A., Feather, Jr., R. M., & Zike, D. (2009). States of Matter. Tennessee Science Grade 8 (pp ). Columbus, OH: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.
Gibbs, Philip. (Designer). (1996). Crystalline and amorphous molecular arrangement of a solid. [Web]. Retrieved from
Goalfinder.com. (Designer). (2007). Types of solids. [Web]. Retrieved from

27. References
JLM Visuals, . (Photographer). (2008). Salt. [Web]. Retrieved from
Larson, A. M. (Designer). (2003). Phases of matter. [Web]. Retrieved from
Mattox, Steve. (Photographer). (2006). Crystalline and amorphous solids. [Web]. Retrieved from
Meyers, Jennifer. (Photographer). (2008). Marching band. [Web]. Retrieved from
Noop, A. (Photographer). (2009). Marching soldiers. [Web]. Retrieved from
Purdue University. (Designer). (2008). Microscopic view of a gas, liquid, and sold. [Web]. Retrieved from

28. References
WGBH Educational Productions. (Producer). (2004). Surface tension: making paper clips float. [Web]. Retrieved from
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Photostory created by Tricia Swann with images from above references.