States of matter and the particle model
Solid, liquid or gas — the difference all comes down to how tightly particles are packed and how much they move.
Part of your national curriculum
- Chemistry: the particulate nature of matter: Understand the properties of the different states of matter in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the properties of the different states of matter in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure
Key learning points
- • Solids, liquids and gases
- • Explaining density and compressibility
- • Gas pressure
This lesson at a glance
- 24 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
States of matter and the particle model
Solid, liquid or gas — the difference all comes down to how tightly particles are packed and how much they move.
In a nutshell
Understand the properties of the different states of matter in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Solids, liquids and gases
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Solids, liquids and gases
In solids, particles are closely packed in a fixed arrangement, only vibrating, giving a fixed shape and volume. In liquids, particles are close but free to move past each other, giving a fixed volume but no fixed shape. In gases, particles are far apart and move fast in random directions, filling any container.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Explaining density and compressibility
Solids and liquids are hard to compress because particles are already close together. Gases are easily compressed because there is lots of empty space between particles. This also explains why gases are far less dense than solids or liquids.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Gas pressure
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Gas pressure
Gas pressure is caused by gas particles colliding with the walls of their container. Heating a gas makes particles move faster and collide more often and harder, increasing pressure if the volume stays the same.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Gas ____ is caused by gas particles colliding with the walls of their container.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which statement about particles in a gas is correct?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: States of matter and the particle model
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which statement about particles in a gas is correct?
2. Why can gases be compressed easily but solids cannot?
3. What causes gas pressure?
4. What happens to gas pressure in a sealed container if you heat the gas?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand the properties of the different states of matter in terms of the particle model, including gas pressure