WebQuest: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
In this WebQuest, you will use the States of Matter interactive to explore similarities and differences
among the particle motion of solids, liquids and gases.
Part I: How do particle arrangements and motions differ for solids, liquids, and gases?
For this interactive, make sure that the “Solid, Liquid, Gas” tab appears in the top left corner of the
screen. The cylinder represents a container with a fixed volume that can be filled with different types of
gas particles. Select “Oxygen” from the list of molecules and click the “Gas” button to display an
animation of oxygen molecules in the gas phase. Your screen should look similar to the screen below.
1. How does the animation illustrate core ideas of the kinetic molecular theory? Justify your response.
It is because all the particles are in a constant unorganized motion. They also are colliding with each
other and with the wall inside the chamber. However, this does not decrease the energy of the
system. Gas molecules exert no force on each other unless they are colliding, as in the picture. The
molecules of gas are in constant and random motion.
2. The particles in the oxygen gas animation show many different kinds of motions. Identify three different
kinds of motions/interactions you observe. Which motions create pressure on the walls of the container?
Here are the three:
1. Reciprocating
2. Oscillating
3. Rotary
The one that creates pressure on the walls of the container is oscillating, because oscillating creates
pressure from the swinging of molecules from wall to wall.
3. Click the “Liquid” and then the “Solid” buttons for oxygen and study the particle motion for each phase.
Compare the particle motions for each phase by completing the chart below:
Gas
level of order
observed in particle
arrangements
average distance
between particles
main types of
molecular motion
how well the particles
fill the container
temperature reading
displayed
distribution of particle
speeds
Liquid
Solid
Very distant from each
other.
Close, bumping into
one another,
disorganized
Far apart from each
other.
Complete order, particles
touching and moving
together
Close to each other
Vibrational and
Translational
Vibrational and
Rotational
Vibrational
The particles are using
every part of the
container's space.
194k
The particles are
contained mostly in the
bottom of the container.
69k
The particles are
organized in the center
bottom of container in a
31k
perfect
square shape.
No order at all
Particles are bumping
Particles have little
into each other, with
movement, are are not
quick, short
moving away from each
movements.
other.
Part II: How can two substances be the same temperature and yet exist in different phases?
Particles are quickly
moving away from
each other.
Select “Argon” molecules and “Gas” phase to see an animation of gas phase argon atoms.
4. What temperature measurement (value and units) does the
thermometer show?
189k
5. What is the freezing point of water in Kelvin and Celsius
degrees?
Freezing point of water: 0 degrees Celsius, 273k
6. Room temperature is about 22 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit. How many Kelvin is this?
295.15k
7. Use the slider under the cylinder to increase the temperature to 292 Kelvin. Characterize the motions
of the argon atoms at that temperature:
There seems to be an irregular motion, moving with no obvious pattern. None of the particles are
acting together. The particles are light red, and bouncing everywhere.
Select “Water” molecules and “Liquid” phase to see water
molecules at 292 Kelvin.
8. How do the motions and average distances between water
molecules at 292 Kelvin compare to the motions and average
distances between argon atoms at the same temperature?
All the water molecules are together and crowded at the
bottom, while the argon atoms are scattered.
9. How do the type and strength of intermolecular forces among argon atoms compare to the type and
strength of intermolecular forces among water molecules? How does this explain the observed
differences in the particle-level animations for argon and water at 292 Kelvin?
Water molecules stick together because of hydrogen bonding. This would explain why the water
molecules aren't scattered like the argon molecules are. Instead, the water molecules are packed
together closely.
Part III: How does adding or removing heat change particle motions of a substance?
Select “Neon” molecules and the “Solid” phase. Use the slider under the cylinder to increase the
temperature in 20-Kelvin increments. Record your observations at each temperature by completing the
table:
Thermometer
reading
Description of neon atom movement
9K
Particles are packed tightly together, particles are blue, particles stay mostly in the
bottom of the container.
29 K
Particles have a lot more movement, particles break away from each other.
49 K
Particles mostly move very randomly, very few particles stay relatively close to each
other, particles break away from each other.
10. Which statement best describes the changes in particle motion that occur when heat is gradually
removed from a substance? Use the interactive to explore this phenomenon if you are unsure.
Select the checkbox next to your answer.
A. All particles speed up and move with the same speed.
B. Some particles speed up, but there is still a range of particle speeds.
C. Some particles slow down and fewer particles collide with the walls of the container.
D. All particles slow down, to the point where all particles vibrate with identical frequencies.