Year 10 - Science
Predicting states of matter and limitations of the particle model
States of matter
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit covers the particle model, states of matter, and changes between them, distinguishing physical from chemical changes. It explains the concept of purity in scientific terms, using melting point data to identify pure and impure substances, and explores the limitations of the particle model.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use the particle model to predict the state of matter of a substance at different temperatures and discuss the limitations of this model for explaining how particles behave.
Key Notes
- There are changes in arrangement, movement and energy of particles during state changes.
- There are two types of change; physical and chemical, and the physical state of a substance can be predicted.
- The attraction between particles has a role in determining the amount of energy needed for state changes.
- The particle model has limitations, for example by showing particles as same sized, inelastic spheres.
- The model does not show the attraction between the particles which affects the amount of energy needed to change state.
Vocabulary To Learn
- physical change: A change in which no new substances are formed, such as a change in state, e.g. melting.
- chemical change: Occurs when a reaction takes place and atoms or ions in the reactants are rearranged to make new products/substances.
- particle model: A model that helps us to understand physical properties of substances. It uses circles or spheres to represent particles, i.e. atoms or compounds.
- limitation of a model: A point at which we cannot use the model to help us explain a scientific phenomena.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils often confuse physical and chemical changes and think that all particles look and act like those shown in the particle model.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
There are changes in arrangement, movement and energy of particles during state changes. There are two types of change; physical and chemical, and the physical state of a substance can be predicted.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'physical change'
A change in which no new substances are formed, such as a change in state, e.g. melting. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils often confuse physical and chemical changes and think that all particles look and act like those shown in the particle model. Correction: Give the pupils an array of different examples of physical and chemical reactions and get the pupils to consider if new substances have been produced. Show the pupils, using molymods, how different molecules can be.
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