compare the properties of solids liquids and gases
Answers
Properties of Gases
A collection of widely separated molecules
The kinetic energy of the molecules is greater than any attractive forces between the molecules
The lack of any significant attractive force between molecules allows a gas to expand to fill its container
If attractive forces become large enough, then the gases exhibit non-ideal behavior
Properties of Liquids
The intermolecular attractive forces are strong enough to hold molecules close together
Liquids are more dense and less compressible than gasses
Liquids have a definite volume, independent of the size and shape of their container
The attractive forces are not strong enough, however, to keep neighboring molecules in a fixed position and molecules are free to move past or slide over one another
Thus, liquids can be poured and assume the shape of their containers
Properties of Solids
The intermolecular forces between neighboring molecules are strong enough to keep them locked in position
Solids (like liquids) are not very compressible due to the lack of space between molecules
If the molecules in a solid adopt a highly ordered packing arrangement, the structures are said to be crystalline
Due to the strong intermolecular forces between neighboring molecules, solids are rigid
Cooling a gas may change the state to a liquid
Cooling a liquid may change the state to a solid
Increasing the pressure on a gas may change the state to a liquid
Increasing the pressure on a liquid may change the state to a solid