Indicate whether each of the following describes a gas, a liquid, or a solid. Drag the appropriate items to their respective bins. Gas The breathing mixture in a scuba tank has no definite volume or shape. Liquid The neon atoms in a lighting display do not interact with each other. Solid An iron pan has strong interactions that keep particles in fixed positions.
Give detailed Solution with explanation
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To classify each description correctly as referring to a gas, liquid, or solid, we need to understand the key properties of each state of matter:
Key Characteristics:
- Gas:
- No definite shape or volume.
- Expands to fill its container.
- Particles are far apart with very weak or negligible interactions.
- Liquid:
- Definite volume but no definite shape.
- Takes the shape of its container.
- Particles are close together but can move past each other.
- Solid:
- Definite shape and volume.
- Particles are tightly packed and fixed in place.
- Strong intermolecular forces keep particles in rigid structure.
Classifications:
- “The breathing mixture in a scuba tank has no definite volume or shape.”
- Correct Bin: Gas
- Explanation: Gases do not have a definite volume or shape. The breathing mixture (a gas mixture) conforms to the shape and volume of its container. In this case, it fills the scuba tank entirely but will also expand if released into a different space.
- “The neon atoms in a lighting display do not interact with each other.”
- Correct Bin: Gas
- Explanation: In a gas state, particles such as neon atoms are far apart and interact minimally with one another. Neon lighting uses this inert gas because its atoms remain largely independent, emitting light when electrically excited.
- “An iron pan has strong interactions that keep particles in fixed positions.”
- Correct Bin: Solid
- Explanation: Solids have tightly packed particles with strong intermolecular or atomic forces, giving them a definite shape and volume. In an iron pan, atoms are held in a rigid lattice structure, explaining its firmness and resistance to shape change.
Final Classification Summary:
| Description | State of Matter |
|---|---|
| The breathing mixture in a scuba tank has no definite volume or shape | Gas |
| The neon atoms in a lighting display do not interact with each other | Gas |
| An iron pan has strong interactions that keep particles in fixed positions | Solid |
Conclusion (300-word Explanation):
Matter exists in three main physical states: solid, liquid, and gas, each with distinct properties due to differences in particle arrangement and energy. Gases, such as the air in a scuba tank, lack both a definite shape and volume. The particles in a gas are widely spaced and move independently, allowing gases to expand and fill any container. This behavior is why a gas mixture inside a tank will adopt the container’s shape and volume. Neon atoms in a lighting display also behave like a gas. These atoms are non-reactive and spaced far apart, so they barely interact, a typical trait of gaseous particles. When energized, they emit light but still maintain minimal interaction with surrounding atoms.
In contrast, solids, like the iron pan, exhibit strong atomic or molecular forces that bind their particles in fixed positions. This gives solids a definite shape and volume. The particles vibrate but don’t move past each other, maintaining a rigid structure. These differences are foundational in physics and chemistry, helping us understand material behavior under different conditions. Understanding the state of matter helps in practical applications too—from designing containers and appliances to engineering tools and structures that must withstand various forces.
