Day 1: Particle Theory 5.

1 Name ________________________

1) The particle theory of matter explains many properties of materials, using a few key ideas. They are:
a) Space: Matter is made of particles with empty space between them, biggest spaces for gasses.
b) Temperature: The motion of the articles increases with temperature.
c) Attraction: The particles attract each other.
d) Motion: The particles are in constant random motion
e) Pure substances: The particles are identical in pure substances.
These five words lend themselves to a mnemonic – STAMP.
2) States of matter: The same substance can be found as a solid, liquid or gas.
a) What is the difference between a solid, liquid and a gas?
This is an example of something that they know – but may not be able to express in a clear, concise
way. They may be able to express their understanding better using diagrams. Gases and liquids can
flow. Gases fill their containers. Liquids fill the bottom of their containers. Solids keep their shape.
What about sand? It flows. It is a solid if you look with a magnifying glass.
b) Draw diagrams to show how the particle model explains the difference in the three states.
The individual particles do not change. In a solid the substance holds its shape because the particles
attract each other (e). Increasing the temperature makes the particles move faster (d) which can break
the bonds until it flows to the bottom or all over. They should draw circles close together for liquid and
solid, with small arrows in random directions for liquid and regular arrangement for solid.
c) How can you model this?
Provide sand, Lego and magnetic marbles. The sand will stick together if it is damp and flow if it is
dry. Place it in a jar with a lid. Then shake it gently and then harder to demonstrate a gas. Magnetic
marbles stick together and can be gently shaken so that they flow or separate. Lego demonstrates
solids really well, perhaps too well. If loosely connected they can be shaken apart.
3) The particle model is simulated by https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/states-of-matter-basics
a) Look at each substance. What are their boiling points and why are they different?
Melting points and boiling point differ because of the different strengths of attraction.
Note: The simulation does not show a sharp point. Choose liquid and then heat until there are three
particles vaporized on average. Have students predict the temperatures. The temperatures are given in
Kelvin which is Celsius minus 273. The values I got were; Neon 27 K, Argon 93 K, Oxygen 115 K,
Water 386 K (this is what I got without cheating. It should be 373 K). This could be repeated for
melting point.
b) Look at the solids. Why are they crystalline?
The particles are identical, so they will pack in a regular way, especially if they have been allowed to
solidify slowly without disturbances. This can be shown best with the magnetic marbles. Ask where
they have seen macroscopic crystals (snowflakes, jewels, honey or maple syrup.) Provide magnifying
glasses and samples of crystalline substances (salt, sugar) and amorphous (plasticine).
c) How and why is the density of solid water unusual?
Ice floats on water. Water forms an open structure as a solid. The attraction of the particle is strongest
between the white and orange particles. This leaves gaps and so solid is less dense than the liquid
4) The particle model and mixtures:
For each of these demonstrations, colour the water with food colouring so the mixing is easier to see.
Measure the mass and volume before and after and infer density from this.
a) Water and Water: What will happen when they are mixed? Explain.
Not much. The red water will mix with the colourless water to make pink water. This demonstrates
that this procedure is able to show that the total mass and volume stay the same.
b) Water and Oil: What will happen when they are mixed? Explain.
Total mass will be the same, because no particles are lost. The density will be an average of the two. It
will be a weighted average unless equal volumes of each are used. The oil will float on top and not
mix. This must mean that each particle sticks most strongly to its own type. If you add a bit of soap,
they will mix because the soap is attracted to both kinds.
c) Water and Sand: What will happen when they are mixed? Explain.
The total mass will not change. There will be a loss of volume because water can fill the spaces in-
between the sand particles.
5) You can tell that a heterogeneous mixture is not a pure substance because you can see the different
parts. Solutions are homogenous mixtures where the different parts are not visible. How can they be
distinguished from pure substances?
a) How can you tell if there is salt mixed in with ice?
The melting point goes below 0o C and the value depends on the concentration of salt. It forms a
slushy indeterminate state and a varying melting point. Get ice and put in a little bit of water.
Measure the temperature and then add lots of salt and stir. It can go to -15o C.
b) Is Ivory Soap a pure substance? What will happen if it is heated in a microwave oven? Explain.
Ivory soap floats, unlike other kinds of soap. That suggests that it contains a gas which will expand if
heated. It gets 6 times bigger! The different parts, behave differently.
c) How can you tell that Oobleck is not a pure substance?
This is corn starch and water. It flows slowly like a liquid but is solid if you try to make it flow too
fast. In is not clearly in one of the three states.
Textbook Consolidation: Read pages 175-178 and answer questions 8, 9, 10