How do particle models help us learn about atoms and molecules? Well, 2000 years ago a smart guy in Greece, Democritus, thought, " if I cut into matter, and make smaller and smaller cuts, we will be able to find the building blocks of matter." He was absolutely right!
There are 4 parts to the particle model theory. They are pretty simple, here we go!
1. All matter is made of tiny particles.
2. The tiny particles are always moving.
3. The particles have spaces between them.
4. Adding heat or energy will make the tiny particles move faster.
Particles behave differently when exposed to heat. The matter becomes more energetic and can go from a frozen state all the way to the hottest plasma if more and more heat (energy) is added to the system.
I have a question! How does snow disappear when the temperature outside is only about 25 degrees Fahrenheit? If you need heat to make molecules vibrate, wouldn't cold make the molecules stay frozen?
Sublimation: when frozen objects don't melt. The molecules move fast enough that it skips the melt stage and goes to a gas. What's up with that?
States of Matter....kind of like the "twilight zone"....
Plasma is really cool. I would stare at it for hours.
ReplyDeleteBefore this, I only ever heard of plasma once
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