States of Matter

Prediction
In this activity you will explore what solids, liquids, and gases look like at the atomic level.

Let's start with a prediction. To the left you see the atomic level view of a "mystery substance."

Please answer the questions below, and submit your answers for anonymous sharing with your teacher and classmates by clicking on the Submit button located below each question.





It is a: a. solid b. liquid c. gas Explain why you think so.
Prediction results
After you have submitted your answers on the previous page, you will see some of your classmates' answers below after your teacher releases the answers. If the answers are not visible yet, click the Refresh button. If they still aren't visible, move on to the next step and check back later for results.

Is the mystery substance a solid, liquid, or gas?






Introduction

Use this simulation to see what solids, liquids, and gases look like at the atomic level. You will be asked to describe the difference between these states of matter.

By clicking on any of the substances in the simulation you can see what each looks like at the atomic level.

Click on the “Highlight Molecule 1” and “Highlight Molecule 2” buttons below the simulation in order to track the movement of two different molecules.

Try clicking on a few objects before going on to the next page.

Describing a solid
There are two solids for you to explore: the gold bar and the eight-ball.







1. Describe the structure of a solid:

a. The molecules are far apart and not well organized. b. The molecules are close together and not well organized. c. The molecules are close together and well organized. Move quickly in all directions and have lots of space between them. 2. Describe the motion of solid molecules relative to each other:

a. They can move around freely. b. They can slide by each other, but are a little restricted in their movement. c. They are restricted in how they move, mostly just vibrating in place.
Solid results
Your classmates' answers should appear below as histograms. If they are not visible yet, click the Refresh button. If they still aren't visible, move on to the next step and check back later for results.





Describing a liquid
There are two liquids for you to explore: the cup of water and the cup of root beer.






3. Describe the structure of a liquid:

a. The molecules are far apart and not well organized. b. The molecules are close together and not well organized. c. The molecules are close together and well organized. Move quickly in all directions and have lots of space between them. 4. Describe the motion of liquid molecules relative to each other:

a. They can move around freely. b. They can slide by each other, but are a little restricted in their movement. c. They are restricted in how they move, mostly just vibrating in place.
Liquid results
Your classmates' answers should appear below as histograms. If they are not visible yet, click the Refresh button. If they still aren't visible, move on to the next step and check back later for results.



Describing a gas
There are two gases for you to explore, each contained in one of the balloons.




5. Describe the structure of a gas:

a. The molecules are far apart and not well organized. b. The molecules are close together and not well organized. c. The molecules are close together and well organized. 6. Describe the motion of gas molecules relative to each other:

a. They can move around freely. b. They can slide by each other, but are a little restricted in their movement. c. They are restricted in how they move, mostly just vibrating in place.
Gas results
Your classmates' answers should appear below as histograms. If they are not visible yet, click the Refresh button. If they still aren't visible, move on to the next step and check back later for results.



Describing a mystery substance




8. Select a substance that you think most resembles the mystery substance, and take a snapshot of its atomic view.


In the snapshot's notes section, located at the bottom of your lab notebook window, use your knowledge of the structure and molecular movement of solids, liquids, and gases to explain what the mystery substance is and why you think that.






Click on the mystery substance, the bag with the "?" on it.

7. It is a:

a. Solid b. Liquid c. Gas Solid Insert your snapshot of the substance that resembles the mystery substance:
Mystery results
Some of your classmates' snapshots should be visible below. If they are not visible yet, click the Refresh button. If they still aren't visible, move on to the next step and check back later for results.


Explaining solids, liquids, and gases
9. Solids tend to hold their shapes. Explain why.

10. Only one of these states of matter can be squeezed into a significantly smaller volume. Which one?

a. solid b. liquid c. gas
Properties of solids results


Properties of solids, liquids, and gases results