State of matter

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/state-of-matter

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the particle motion (solid)?Vibrational motion around fixed equilibrium points
2. What is the particle motion (liquid)?Translational and vibrational motion, sliding past each other
3. What are the three main states of matter?Solids, liquids, and gases are the three main states of matter. Solids have a fixed shape and volume, liquids have a fixed volume but can change shape, and gases fill whatever space they are in.
4. Why do solids keep their shape?Solids stay in shape because the particles inside are held tightly together by strong forces. These forces keep the particles in a stable pattern, so the solid doesn’t change shape easily.

Kinetic Theory of Gases: A model explaining the macroscopic properties of gases based on the motion of their particles.
Gibbs Free Energy: A thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work a system can perform at constant temperature and pressure.
Latent Heat: The heat absorbed or released during a phase transition at constant temperature.