Advice & Insight From BMAT Specialists
On a microscopic level we view matter to be made of atoms/molecules that have certain properties.
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SOLID
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In the solid state atoms are vibrating about fixed positions.
The atoms are close together and can be arranged in a regular pattern for many hundreds of layers (e.g. in a metal).
There are attractive and repulsive forces acting on the atoms which cause them to vibrate.
The atoms have both  kinetic energy ( because they are moving) and potential energy (because they experience forces).
Most solids are difficult to compress because of the strong repulsive forces between them.
They also do not expand a lot when heated.
Heat is transferred through a solid by conduction.
Solids have a fixed shape.
LIQUID
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In the liquid state the atoms do not vibrate and are not arranged in a regular pattern.
They are able to move around each other and they are slightly further apart, on average, than atoms of a solid.
The atoms move in straight lines, this is called translational motion.
The atoms are continually making and breaking bonds with neighbouring atoms.
Liquids are difficult to compress because of the repulsive forces.
Most liquids are poor conductors. Heat is transferred through a liquid mainly by convection.
Liquids do not have a fixed shape but take the shape of the container in which they are placed.
The atoms have both  kinetic energy and potential energy.
GASES
In a gas the atoms are much further apart than those of a solid or liquid.The atoms/molecules move in straight lines and move with different speeds. They do not experience any forces (except during collisions).
They have kinetic energy only.
Gases are easy to compress or expand because the atoms do not experience forces.
They expand a lot when heated.
Gases are poor conductors of heat.
Heat is transferred through a gas by convection.
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​Suppose a lump of metal is heated steadily. The temperature rises. Eventually, if it is heated long enough the metal reaches its melting point. If further heating occurs the metal will begin to melt and change state i.e. change from a solid to a liquid.
Heat is required to change the metal from a solid to a liquid but whilst it is melting the temperature remains constant.
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The amount of heat required to change any mass of a solid into a liquid at its melting point is called latent heat of fusion.
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The amount of heat required to change 1 kg  of a solid into a liquid at its melting point is called specific latent heat of fusion.
​To change 2kg of ice into water would require 2 x 334 kJ,
To change 3kg of ice into water would require 3 x 334 kJ, and so on.
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In general, the thermal energy (E) required to change m kg of a solid into a liquid at its melting point is given by:
Learn time-efficient BMAT strategies and practice with reflective BMAT questions & worked solutions.
Suppose a liquid is heated steadily. The temperature rises. Eventually, if it is heated long enough the liquid reaches its boiling point. If further heating occurs the liquid will change state i.e. change from a liquid to a gas.
Heat is required to change the liquid into a gas whilst it is boiling but the temperature remains constant.
The amount of heat required to change any mass of a liquid into a gas at its boiling point is called latent heat of vaporisation.
​
The amount of heat required to change 1 kg  of a liquid into a gas at its boiling point is called specific latent heat of vaporisation.
When a gas is heated the gas molecules gain KE i.e. they move faster. The temperature of the gas rises.
 Theory shows that the average KE of the gas molecules is proportional to the (Kelvin) Temperature.
[You do not need to know this for the exam].
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This means that when the temperature of a gas rises the molecules move faster, when the temperature decreases the molecules move slower.
Suppose a gas is enclosed in a piston chamber as shown.
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If the gas is compressed as shown then the molecules move closer together. This means they collide more frequently and so the pressure (P) increases and the volume (V) decreases.
(The temperature is constant).
Experiment shows that:Â Â Â
Pressure x volume = constant or    P V = constant
[You have to be able to use equation in calculations].
Any gas that behaves in this way is called an ideal gas.
​Example 3
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Gas leaks slowly out of a cylinder of constant volume. The temperature of the gas in the cylinder does not change. Which of the following is constant for the gas molecules in the cylinder?
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AÂ Â the number striking unit area of surface in unit time.
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BÂ Â the number of the collisions between molecules per unit time.
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CÂ Â the number per unit volume.
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DÂ Â the average speed.
Suppose a liquid of density r is placed in a tank as shown.
The pressure p of the liquid acting on the base of the tank is given by:
This equation is valid for a container of any shape:
​Example 3
D (The temperature is constant and so the average speed is constant).
​Example 4
mass =Â density x volume = 1000 x 0.2 = 200 kg
Weight = mg = 200 x 10 = 2000N (Taking g = 10 numerically)
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Example 6
volume = 20x10x4 = 800 cm3  = 800 x 10-6 m3
Mass = density x vol = 5000 x 800 x 10-6 = 4 kg
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Weight = mg = 40N
MAXIMUM pressure will occur when the block rest on its SMALLEST face i.e. 4cm x 10cm
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Pressure = weight / Area = 40 /(40×10-4) = 10,000 N m-2
MINIMUM pressure will occur when the block rests on its LARGEST face i.e. 20cmx10cm
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Pressure = weight/area = 40/(200×10-4) = 2000 Nm-2
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