ENGINEERING SCIENCE N1
MODULE 5
Particle structure of matter
Deals with the structure and particle theory of matter.
Module Outcomes
1. Name and provide examples of the different phases of matter.
2. Discuss the phases of matter and the arrangement and motion of the particles in
each.
3. Describe the effect of heat on particles and phases.
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1. Matter
Everything on earth is referred to as matter. Matter refers to everything that has mass
and occupies space. All matter comprises particles.
1.1 Atoms
The smallest particles of matter are known as atoms.
Atoms comprise a central nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons. The central
nucleus is surrounded by circling electrons.
Protons are positively charged particles.
Neutrons are neutral and have no charge.
Electrons are negatively charged particles.
The nucleus of an atom is fixed by nuclear forces while the electrons move around in
orbitals.
Figure: 1
[Ref: http://modernbiochemistry.weebly.com/atomic-structure.html]
1.2 Elements
Atoms combine to form elements. Elements are what we find in the earth’s natural
atmosphere. The elements discovered on earth thus far are tabulated in a Periodic table
of elements. The periodic table gives an indication of the structure of the atoms of the
elements. Each element will comprise atoms that display a unique nucleus structure as
well as a unique number of electron orbitals.
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1.3 Compounds
Elements combine to form molecules and compounds. By these combinations,
innumerable substances have been formed such as water (H2O), salt (NaCl) and carbon
dioxide (CO2). We can see these combinations comprise different elements in different
arrangements.
The atoms in a compound gain, lose or share electrons to form the unique structure of
the compound. This distribution of electrons results in the atoms becoming positively or
negatively charged. This enables them to attract to each other and keep them bound
together to form the compound. A charged element is referred to as an ion.
Useful websites
https://support.golabz.eu/support/big-idea/structure-of-matter
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/estatics/Lesson-1/The-Structure-of-Matter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matter
Basic structure of matter,
https://www.ndeed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Electricity/basicstructure.htm
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-chemistry/chapter/the-structure-of-the-
atom/
Useful videos
https://youtu.be/4SQEJJa1uDc
https://youtu.be/TYEYEIuTmGQ
https://youtu.be/OH-aSu-rWgk
https://youtu.be/pSJeMJaCkVU
2. Phases of matter
Matter exists in three phases: Solids, Liquids and Gases. In each of these phases, the atoms
and molecules are arranged in different ways and are held together by different forces. The
particles of solids are held together by stronger forces than liquids and gases. The particles
of gases are held together by weak forces. The particles of matter are in constant vibrating
motion.
2.1 Solids
Solids comprise particles that are tightly packed together and vibrate close to one another.
This tight packing and vibration give solids their rigidity and thus their shape. The
arrangement of the particles in a solid are often referred to as a crystal lattice, in which the
forces between the particles are very strong. Solids do not easily become deformed because
of this arrangement and because the strong forces holding the particles together are not
easily broken.
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2.2 Liquids
Liquid particles are not as tightly packed as solids and the forces between the particles are
not as strong as in solids. These forces can be broken more easily than with solids. This
results in their fluidity. There is some order in the packing and vibration of liquid particles,
and they are thus able to take on the form of the container they are in. Liquids easily change
shape.
2.3 Gases
Gas particles do not follow an orderly pattern and are randomly spaced within the gaseous
substance. The particles of the gas vibrate at a distance from each other because the forces
between the particles are weak. Gas substances, therefore, do not take on any shape.
Figure: 2 Figure: 3 Figure: 4
2.4 The effect of heat on the phases of matter
Heat energy increases the energy and thus the vibration of the particles of substances. This
causes the particles to move around faster. This causes the particles to move further apart.
If the amount of heat energy is large enough, the particles can move apart so that they
change phase.
Solids do not easily change phase and require very large amounts of heat energy to melt
and become liquid. As heat energy is added to a solid, the particles of the solid start to move
faster and move further apart. This causes expansion of the solid. When the energy is
increased beyond the melting point, the particles move apart enough to break some of the
forces causing the rigidity and thus the solid melts
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As heat energy of a liquid increases, the particles of the liquid move faster and further apart
until the boiling point is reached and some of the forces are broken. The liquid starts to
evaporate into a vapour (gas). As heat energy of a gas is increased, the particles of the gas
start to move faster and further apart and this can change the composition of the gas. The
reverse is also true. If substances are cooled down, the heat energy is decreased, they can
change phases like when the energy of a liquid is decreased, the particles slow down and
settle in a more orderly pattern and when the energy is decreased enough, the liquid will
start to solidify.
Figure: 5
2.4.1 Phase changes
Solid Liquid : Melting
E.g., Ice melting; chocolate melting; metals melt in furnaces at extremely high temperatures
Liquid Gas : Evaporation
E.g., Water turning to steam; steam rising from your coffee
Gas Liquid : Condensation
E.g., Water droplets on your shower wall – steam condensing to water
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Liquid Solid : Solidification (also called freezing)
E.g., Water freezing to ice; juice freezing to make popsicles
Solid Gas : Sublimation
E.g., Dry ice i.e., frozen carbon dioxide. When heated, it turns directly to vapour and skips
the liquid phase.
Figure: 6
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Useful videos
https://youtu.be/sYZ3ETjK8_Y
https://youtu.be/3S-x18UGwDM
https://youtu.be/EZHmUTmJtF8
https://youtu.be/VMQOLjXtTXw
https://youtu.be/ydBcvY2Omkc
Example 1
Matter can be found in three phases: solids, liquids and gasses.
Describe the movement of particles in each phase?
Solution:
Solid: particles move very little.
Liquid: particles move more than those in a solid
Gas: particles move very fast.
Example 2
Name the process when the following phase changes take place:
2.1 Solid changes to liquid.
2.2 Gas changes to liquid.
2.3 Liquid changes to solid.
Solution:
2.1 Melting (fusion)
2.2 Condensation
2.3 Solidification
Example 3
Define the following:
3.1 Atom
3.2 Molecule
Solution:
3.1 Smallest part of an element that will still have the unique properties of the element.
3.2 Smallest part of a compound (matter) that will still have the unique properties of the
compound.
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Example 4
Provide labels for the following diagram.
Solution
1 Electron - negative
2 Proton - positive
3 Nucleus - positive
4 Neutron - neutral
Exercise 1
1.1 Define each of the following:
1.1.1 Element
1.1.2 Compound
1.1.3 Matter
1.2 If heat is added to the following types of matter, and it moves to the next phase, what is
this transition called in each case?
1.2.1 Solid into liquid
1.2.2 Liquid into gas
1.3 Draw a neat, labelled drawing of the structure of an atom.
1.4 Classify the following materials into solids, liquids or gasses:
Steel, mercury, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, water.
Exercise 2
2.1 Define matter.
2.2 Define the three properties in the motion of the particles in the gaseous phase.
2.3 Explain what the following terms mean
2.3.1 Evaporation
2.3.2 Solidification
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2.4 Classify which of the following substances are solids, gases and liquids at room
temperature
carbon, oxygen, copper, mercury
2.5 State the electrical charge in each of the following:
2.5.1 The proton
2.5.2 The neutron
2.5.3 The electron
2.5.4 The atom
2.6 Name the smallest part of an element.
2.7 What causes a substance to change phase?
Exercise 3
3.1 In the three different phases of matter, their particles have different characteristics. By
using the attractive forces between particles, describe what will happen in the three different
phases of matter.
3.2 Describe the motion of the particles in the three phases of matter.
3.3 What effect will heat have on the movement of particles in the three different phases of
matter?
3.4 What is the difference between the charges of the nucleus and the electron of an atom?
3.5 Define matter.
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References
1. States of matter. Retrieved January 2021. http://misswise.weebly.com/states-of-
matter.html
2. Physical chemical change. Retrieved January 2021.
http://scitech.net.au/science8/homework/physical_chemical_revision_questions.html
3. Phase changes. Retrieved January 2021.
https://za.pinterest.com/pin/268386459022892607/
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