What is the difference between the 3 states of matter

Question

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the rate at which the particles move
the type of particles in the substance
only the way which the particles are arranged
the thermal energy in the substance

Answer 1

The main differences between the three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) are:

1. Rate at which the particles move:
- In a solid, the particles are closely packed together and have the least amount of movement.
- In a liquid, the particles are more spaced out and can move freely but remain close to one another.
- In a gas, the particles are widely spaced and have the most freedom to move around.

2. Type of particles in the substance:
- The type of particles in a substance does not typically change between the different states of matter. The particles can be atoms, molecules, or ions depending on the substance.

3. Only the way in which the particles are arranged:
- In a solid, the particles are tightly packed in an orderly arrangement, resulting in a fixed shape and volume.
- In a liquid, the particles are more randomly arranged, allowing them to flow and take the shape of their container while maintaining a fixed volume.
- In a gas, the particles are spread out and have no fixed shape or volume, as they fill the entire space available to them.

4. The thermal energy in the substance:
- The thermal energy is a measure of the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. It is related to the temperature of the substance.
- In a solid, the particles vibrate in fixed positions, and their kinetic energy is relatively low.
- In a liquid, the particles have more kinetic energy compared to a solid, resulting in increased movement and ability to flow.
- In a gas, the particles have the highest kinetic energy, moving quickly and colliding with one another and the walls of their container.

In summary, the differences between the three states of matter include the way particles move, their arrangement, and the amount of thermal energy in the substance. The type of particles typically remains the same.