Users' questions

How do particles move around in a solid?

How do particles move around in a solid?

Solid – In a solid, the attractive forces keep the particles together tightly enough so that the particles do not move past each other. In the solid the particles vibrate in place. Liquid – In a liquid, particles will flow or glide over one another, but stay toward the bottom of the container.

Do particles in a solid move around and rotate?

The particles in a solid are rotating, vibrating or moving about a fixed position, close to each other. When a solid is heated it gains energy, the particles move more and it changes to a liquid state. If even more energy is supplied, more movement occurs and it changes to a gaseous state.

Do particles move freely in a solid?

Solids. A solid’s particles are packed closely together. The forces between the particles are strong enough that the particles cannot move freely; they can only vibrate. As a result, a solid has a stable, definite shape and a definite volume.

What are the particles that move around?

Particles in a:

  • gas vibrate and move freely at high speeds.
  • liquid vibrate, move about, and slide past each other.
  • solid vibrate (jiggle) but generally do not move from place to place.

How are the particles in a solid move?

In a liquid, the particles have much room to vibrate, and even more in a gas, however, in a solid, the space is minimal, so the particles vibrate and hit against each other. Even though a solid appears to not move, it is vibrating at a microscopic level.

How are particles arranged in solids, liquids and gases?

The particles in solids, liquids and gases have different amounts of energy. They are arranged differently and move in different ways. They have a fixed shape and cannot flow because the particles cannot move from place to place. They cannot be compressed or squashed because the particles are close together and have no space to move into.

Why are particles so close to each other in a liquid?

Particles in a liquid. Particles in liquids are quite close to each other, however they can move past each other very easily. This makes liquids very easy to break apart and why they cannot hold their own shape, but instead take the shape of their container.

How are molecules move in a solid liquid and gas?

The particles in a solid are tightly packed and locked in place. The particles in a liquid are close together (touching) but they are able to move/slide/flow past each other. The particles in a gas are fast moving and are able to spread apart from each other. Click to explore further.