THERMAL PHYSICS

17 MOLECULES
Physics 10. Cambridge IGCSE
Why do you matter?

Because you are a

substance that occupies
space and has mass

So what is matter?
Matter
We cannot see molecules
without some help

Electron microscope
 THEORY
KINETIC
Can explain the existence of solid, liquid, and gaseous states
SOLIDS

- Molecules are close

together
- Attractive and
repulsive forces
between neighboring
molecules balance
LIQUIDS

- Molecules are slightly

further apart, but still
close enough
- Attractive and
repulsive forces
between neighboring
molecules balance
GASES

- Molecules are much

further apart
- Much less dense and
can be squeezed into
a smaller space
Brownian Motion
CRYSTALS
CRYSTALS

Have hard, flat sides and straight edges

Whatever size crystals of the same substance
have the same shape
CRYSTALS

Suggests that:
Crystals are arranged in an orderly way in
planes
DIFFUSION
DIFFUSION

The spreading of substance of its own

accord is called diffusion and is due to
molecular motion.
Assignment:

In your own words, describe and explain

an experiment to show Brownian motion
[30 words or more].

Write it at the back of your Physics notebook.