All non-living matter is composed of particles whose behavior may vary. The structure of gaseous, liquid and solid bodies has its own characteristics. Particles in solids are held together, as they are located very closely to each other, this makes them very strong. In addition, they can hold a certain shape, since their smallest particles practically do not move, but only vibrate. The molecules in the fluids are quite close to each other, but they can move freely, so they do not have their own shape. Particles in gases move very quickly, around them, as a rule, a lot of space, which implies their easy compression.
Properties and structure of solids
What is the structure and structural features of solids? They are made up of particles that are very close together. They cannot move, and therefore their shape remains fixed. What are the properties of a solid? It does not compress, but if it is heated, then its volume will increase with increasing temperature. This is because the particles begin to vibrate and move, which leads to a decrease in density.
One of the features of solids is that they have an unchanged shape. When a solid is heated, the average particle velocity increases. Faster moving particles collide more violently, causing each particle to push its neighbors. Therefore, an increase in temperature usually leads to an increase in body strength.
The crystalline structure of solids
The intermolecular forces of interaction between neighboring molecules of a solid are strong enough to hold them in a fixed position. If these smallest particles are in a highly ordered configuration, then such structures are usually called crystalline. The issues of the internal ordering of particles (atoms, ions, molecules) of an element or compound are handled by a special science - crystallography.
The chemical structure of a solid is also of particular interest. By studying the behavior of particles, how they are arranged, chemists can explain and predict how certain types of materials will behave under certain conditions. The smallest particles of a solid are arranged in the form of a lattice. This is the so-called regular arrangement of particles, where various chemical bonds between them play an important role.
The band theory of the structure of a solid body considers solid matter as a collection of atoms, each of which, in turn, consists of a nucleus and electrons. In the crystalline structure, the nuclei of atoms are located in the nodules of the crystal lattice, which is characterized by a certain spatial periodicity.
What is a fluid structure?
The structure of solids and liquids is similar in that the particles of which they are composed are at a close distance. The difference is that the molecules of the liquid substance move freely, since the attractive force between them is much weaker than in a solid.
What properties does a liquid have? Firstly, this is fluidity, and secondly, the liquid will take the form of a container in which it is placed. If it is heated, the volume will increase. Due to the close proximity of the particles to each other, the liquid cannot be compressed.
What is the structure and structure of gaseous bodies?
Particles of gas are randomly located, they are so far from each other that between them there can be no attractive force. What properties does a gas have and what is the structure of gaseous bodies? As a rule, the gas evenly fills the entire space in which it was placed. It compresses easily. The particle velocity of a gaseous body increases with increasing temperature. In this case, an increase in pressure also occurs.
The structure of gaseous, liquid and solid bodies is characterized by different distances between the smallest particles of these substances. Gas particles are much farther apart than in solid or liquid state. In air, for example, the average distance between particles is about ten times the diameter of each particle. Thus, the volume of molecules occupies only about 0.1% of the total volume. The remaining 99.9% is empty space. In contrast, fluid particles fill about 70% of the total fluid volume.
Each gas particle moves freely along a straight path until it collides with another particle (gas, liquid or solid). Particles usually move fast enough, and after two of them collide, they bounce off of each other and continue their journey alone. These collisions change direction and speed. These properties of gas particles allow gases to expand to fill any shape or volume.
State change
The structure of gaseous, liquid and solid bodies can change if a certain external influence is exerted on them. They can even transition to each other under certain conditions, for example, during heating or cooling.
- Melting. Under the influence of very high temperatures, the organized structure is destroyed, and the solid becomes liquid. Particles are still close together, but more free space appears between them. Thus, when a solid melts, it tends to expand to fill a slightly larger volume. This freedom of movement allows, for example, to give a certain shape to liquid metal.
- Evaporation. The structure and properties of liquid bodies allow them, under certain conditions, to go into a completely different physical state. For example, accidentally spilling gasoline when refueling a car, you can quickly smell its pungent smell. How does this happen? Particles move throughout the fluid, as a result, a certain part of them reaches the surface. Their directed movement can carry these molecules beyond the surface into the space above the liquid, but the attraction will pull them back. On the other hand, if a particle moves very fast, it can break away from others at a decent distance. Thus, with an increase in the particle velocity, which usually occurs during heating, an evaporation process takes place, that is, the conversion of a liquid into a gas.
The behavior of bodies in different physical states
The structure of gases, liquids, solids is mainly due to the fact that all these substances are composed of atoms, molecules or ions, however, the behavior of these particles can be completely different. Gas particles are randomly removed from each other, liquid molecules are close to each other, but they are not as rigidly structured as in a solid. Gas particles vibrate and move at high speeds. Atoms and liquid molecules vibrate, move and slide past each other. Particles of a solid can also vibrate, but motion as such is not characteristic of them.
Features of the internal structure
In order to understand the behavior of matter, you must first study the features of its internal structure. What are the internal differences between granite, olive oil and helium in a balloon? A simple model of the structure of matter will help find the answer to this question.
A model is a simplified version of a real object or substance. For example, before direct construction begins, architects first construct a model for a construction project. Such a simplified model does not necessarily imply an accurate description, but at the same time, it can give an approximate idea of what this or that structure will be.
Simplified Models
In science, however, physical bodies are not always models. Over the past century, there has been a significant increase in human understanding of the physical world. However, most of the accumulated knowledge and experience is based on extremely complex representations, for example, in the form of mathematical, chemical and physical formulas.
In order to understand all this, you need to be quite well versed in these exact and complex sciences. Scientists have developed simplified models for visualizing, explaining, and predicting physical phenomena. All this greatly simplifies the understanding of why some bodies have a constant shape and volume at a certain temperature, while others can change them and so on.
All matter is made up of minute particles. These particles are in constant motion. The volume of motion is related to temperature. Elevated temperature indicates an increase in speed. The structure of gaseous, liquid and solid bodies is distinguished by the freedom of movement of their particles, as well as by how strongly the particles are attracted to each other. The physical properties of a substance depend on its physical state. Water vapor, liquid water and ice have the same chemical properties, but their physical properties are significantly different.