Chemistry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 9

Chemistry - Essay Example From this simple story we can see the different states of matter obtained and the different phase changes which occur to matter. 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 a motion energy which we perceive as temperature. Atoms and molecules are constantly in motion and the more the energy the matter has the more the 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 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 liquid. 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