Particle model of matter knowledge organiser

Symbols and units to memorise

Quantity Symbol Unit Unit

symbol
mass m kilograms kg
volume V metres cubed m3
density ρ kilograms per metre cubed kg/m3
specific heat capacity c joules per kilogram per degree Celsius J/kg °C
specific latent heat L joules per kilogram J/kg
temperature change Δθ degrees Celsius °C
thermal energy E joules J
time t seconds s

Equations to memorise

Equation for… Symbol Equation Word equation

Energy (2nd equation) E = Pt power x time
9
Power (1st equation) P = E/t energy transferred / time
10 Power (2nd equation) P = W/t work done / time
14 Density ρ = m/V mass / volume
(note the equations for specific heat capacity and specific latent heat are on the provided equation sheet)

States of matter
Arrangement Movement of particles Internal energy
of particles
Solid Not moving as particles Lowest
are fixed in position.  low KE because particles are
Just vibrating. barely moving
 low potential energy (PE) as
particles close together
Liquid Low speed, a range of Medium
speeds and random  medium KE due to medium
directions particle speed
 medium PE due to medium
particle separation
Gas High average speed, a Highest
wide range of speeds  high KE as particles are moving
and random directions fast
 high potential energy (PE) as
particles are far apart
Changes of state
Boiling liquid  gas Melting solid  liquid
Evaporation liquid  gas Freezing liquid  Solid
Condensing gas  liquid Sublimating solid  gas
The change from liquid to gas is called boiling if it happens so quickly that bubbles form.
Evaporation is slower, and only at the surface.

Definitions (memorise word for word)

Internal energy the total kinetic energy and potential energy of all the particles
Specific heat capacity the energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of the
substance by one degree Celsius
Specific latent heat The energy needed for one kilogram of a substance to change state

Other important facts

Which has lower density: solid or gas?
Why?
How do you increase the kinetic
energy of gas particles?
Does a change of state (e.g.,
freezing) change the kinetic or
potential energy of particles?
What’s the difference between a
physical change and a chemical
change?
When do you use the specific latent
heat of fusion?
When do you use the specific latent
heat of vaporisation?
Which is larger – the specific latent
heat of fusion or the specific latent
heat of vaporisation?
If you heat gas in a sealed container,
what happens to its pressure?
Explain why increasing the
temperature of a gas increases its
pressure. (4 marks)
Gas, because there are fewer particles in the same
volume
Increase the temperature (temperature is proportional
to kinetic energy of the particles)
It changes the potential energy
For a physical change, the material recovers its original
properties if the change is reversed.
For changes between solids and liquids (e.g., melting
and freezing)
For changes between gases and liquids (e.g., boiling,
evaporating and condensing)
specific latent heat of vaporisation
The pressure increases
- higher temperature means particles have more KE
- so particles move faster
- so particles collide more frequently with the walls of
the container (higher rate of collisions)
- and particles collide with more force
- so the pressure is higher
Required practical methods to memorise
1) Measure density
Regular solid Irregular solid Liquid
(e.g., block of metal) (e.g., a stone) (e.g., water)
Equation Calculate density using ρ = m/V (mass/volume)
Measure mass using a mass balance
For a liquid, zero the
balance with the empty
container on top, before
adding the liquid.
Calculate volume using: Measure volume using Measure volume using
Volume = length x width a eureka can and a measuring
Measurements x height Measure length, measuring cylinder. cylinder.
width and height using a (Fill eureka can with
ruler. . water. Immerse the
object. Measure the
volume of displaced
water using a measuring
cylinder.

2) Measure specific heat capacity

Equation – Calculate
specific heat capacity c
∆𝐸
using 𝑐 = 𝑚∆𝜃 (this is
, from your
equations sheet,
rearranged)
Measurements:
1. Measure the mass using a mass balance.
2. Measure the change in energy using a joulemeter
OR measure current using an ammeter, voltage using a voltmeter and time using a
stopclock, and calculate the energy using E=IVt
3. Measure the change in temperature using a thermometer.

Pressure
 Pressure is inversely proportional to volume.
 Pressure x Volume = Constant (the constant doesn’t change if either the pressure or
volume is changed)
 Pressure = Force / Area