States of Matter and Phase Changes - Essay Example

From this simple story, we can see the different states of matter obtained and the different phase changes which occur to matter. The matter is anything that occupies space and has a mass. Matter exists in different states which include: solids, liquids, gases, plasmas and Bose-Einstein condensates. According to the kinetic theory of matter, all matter is made of atoms or molecules which have motion energy which we perceive as temperature. Atoms and molecules are constantly in motion and the more energy the matter has the more molecular movement and consequently a higher temperature. The amount of energy in atoms and molecules influences the intermolecular forces holding them such as hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces and thus the state of matter of a substance.

Solids
Solids are formed as a result of strong attractive forces which hold the atoms or molecules together. These forces are far much stronger than the forces which are trying to force the atoms apart and thus the individual atoms and molecules are fixed in a position. The atoms and molecules however retain their motion which becomes limited to just vibration. When John was exercising and holding the exercise bikes and rowing machines the amount of energy created during training increases the temperature of the solids (exercise bikes e. t. c.) thus increasing the amount of vibration but because the molecules are locked in place the solids retain a fixed shape and volume. When the temperature of solids increases the movement of individual molecules can increase and will change into a liquid.

Liquids
The liquids are normally formed when the energy of a body in solid-state increases leading to the breakdown of the forces maintaining its rigid state. Mary’s ice cream for example sometimes turns into liquid as she admires John doing his exercises and forgets her ice cream.

As a result of this, the molecules in liquids can move past one another although they remain relatively close to one another due to the intermolecular forces pulling the molecules together. Thus the liquids have a fixed volume but occupy the shape of the container they are kept in. However, as the temperature is increased the movement of individual molecules increases and can change into a gaseous state. As john sweats profusely the sweat from his dermal glands oozes in a liquid form and trickles down his face. However, with the continued increase in the temperature due to John’s exercises the sweat evaporates from his face and body surface leaving the salts excreted together with sweat remaining on his body surface.

Gases
They are formed when the energy in the liquids exceeds the attractive forces thus the gases move quickly and in any direction thus expanding to fill the container they are held in but can be compressed easily. The water vapor from John’s sweat moves in any direction.
Other matter states
Plasmas are hot, ionized atoms of gases that form when molecules are broken down in extreme temperatures. Atoms in the sun for example exist in the plasma state. Bose-Einstein Condensates are gaseous superfluids that occur when the temperature of a substance approaches absolute zero thus the atoms can flow past one another without friction. Read More