II.

Particle theory of matter Page 1

Topic II. Particle theory of matter

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Assignment

Objectives 0.2
Scientific investigation
Particle theory of matter

Notes A. Scientific investigation

When an experimental fact is observed, different explanations are proposed and criticised by other scientists. The
explanation which defeats all crticisms is called a theory

Law, hypothesis and theory about diffusion.

law – this is only a set of rules which helps to

make prediction, this is not an explanation.
e.g. Graham's law of diffusion of gas.
The lower the density of a gas, the
faster will be the rate of diffusion.

hypothesis – a tentative explanation that tries to explain

the fact and still needs further testing.
e.g. The diffusion is spreading of
particles.

theory – a well tested hypothesis which can explain

all the experimental facts and be used to
make prediction accurately.
e.g. Particle theory of matter
– Matter is made up of tiny particles.

All scientific investigations start from the collection of experimental facts. This is why experiment is so
important in science. Since the technology is getting better and better, an old theory may not be able to explain a
newly discovered fact. If this happens, the whole cycle of investigation have to be started all over again. Many
theory which had been thought to be correct 100 years ago were proved to be wrong..

DON'T ALWAYS INSIST ON WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT BEFORE,

KNOWLEDGE IS ALWAYS ADVANCING.
II. Particle theory of matter Page 2

Can you answer the following questions :

What happens when ice melts ?

What happens when sugar dissolves in water ?
What is the difference between melting and
dissolving ?
B. Particle theory of matter
– A Linkage between the macroscopic (large) and microscopic (small) world

Melting of ice at room temperature and dissolving of sugar in water is a very common phenomenon but how can
this be explained. Scientists propose (postulate) that all substances are made up of tiny particles.

The theory states that all matters are made of particles is called particle theory of matter.

Particle theory of matter is the most important theory in chemistry.

It creates a link between the macro properties (e.g. reactivity, solubility) observed and the micro properties (e.g.
bonding, structure) of a substance.

1. Evidences of presence of particles

a) Diffusion

When the glass plate is removed, the brown colour

diffuses up and fills up the upper and lower gas jars
evenly.

Despite the fact that nitrogen dioxide is denser than air,

the brown colour still moves up. Therefore, this must
not be caused by gravity.

This can be explained by the constant motion of air and

nitrogen dioxide particles. Eventually, all particles mix
up thoroughly.
II. Particle theory of matter Page 3

b) Brownian Movement

When pollen grains are placed on water surface, it is observed that they move randomly even without being blown
by the wind.

This was firstly observed by Robert Brown in 1827 and is known as Brownian movement.

Macroscopic Observation Microscopic Interpretation

Pollen grains are hit by rapid moving water particles

from all directions. This makes the pollen grains move
randomly on the water surface.

c) Physical states of matter

The existence of 3 physical states of matter (solid, liquid and gaseous state) can also be explained by particle
theory of matter.

In solid states, the particles are closely packed together and they can only vibrate about their equilibrium
positions. Therefore, solid is incompressible and has a definite shape.

In liquid states, the particles are fairly close packed but are free to move. Therefore, liquid is also incompressible
but do not has a definite shape.

In gaseous state, the particles are very far from each other and free to move at a great speed. Therefore, gas is
freely compressible and do not has a definite shape.

When a cube of ice melts to water, there is almost no change in volume. But when a drop of water evaporates,
the steam formed has a volume 1000 times larger than the drop of water. This proved that the particles in a gas
are more widely separated than in a liquid.

N.B. The sizes of particles are all the same in different physical states, the difference is only the spacing
among the particles.
II. Particle theory of matter Page 4

Summary of differences among solid, liquid and gas

Solid Liquid Gas

Attractive force among strong fairly strong very weak
particles
Compressibility incompressible incompressible easy to compress
no fixed volume
Volume fixed fixed and similar to solid (occupies the whole
container)
Particle movement can only vibrate free to move slowly free to move quickly
no definite shape no definite shape
Shape definite (fill bottom of the (fill the whole container)
container)
Average kinetic energy
(proportional to the low medium high
temperature)

The existence of the 3 physical states (macroscopic observation) can be explained by the balance between the
attractions among the particles (microscopic interpretation) and the kinetic energy possessed by the particles.

The attractions bring the particles together while the kinetic energy tends to separate the particles.

Solid Liquid Gas

II. Particle theory of matter Page 5

(1) Relationship between temperature and physical state of a substance

physical Solid Liquid Gas

state

melting boiling
point point
ambient
temperature

The physical state of a substance is depending on the melting point, boiling point of the substance and the ambient
temperature. If the ambient temperature is lower than the melting point of the substance, the substance will be a
solid. If the ambient temperature is higher than the boiling point, it will be a gas. If the ambient temperature is
between the m.p. and b.p., the substance will be a liquid.

e.g. water has m.p. 0 ºC and b.p. 100 ºC. What are the physical states of water at -20 ºC, 25 ºC and 700 ºC.

The average temperature on Mars in - 33 ºC , what is the physical state of water on Mars?

(2) Changing of physical state

Sublimation

A few substances change directly from solid state to gaseous state when the temperature increases, e.g. carbon
dioxide (dry ice), iodine, ammonium chloride and iron(III) chloride.
The process in which solid changes to gas or gas changes to solid directly without going through the liquid state is
called sublimation.
II. Particle theory of matter Page 6

2. Dissolution (Dissolving) Process

When a granule of sugar is placed in water, it is being hit constantly by water molecules. The water molecules pull
individual sugar particles away from the granule of sugar. Eventually, the sugar particles are evenly distributed
among the water particles and a sugar solution is formed. During the dissolving process, the sugar particles
diffuse from the region of high concentration to the region of low concentration.

In a single granule of sugar, there is about 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 sugar particles. Individual sugar particle is
extremely small. When they are separated from each other, the tiny particles can no longer be seen.

There is why when sugar dissolves, no more sugar granule can be seen but the solution becomes sweet.

3. Difference between Melting and Dissolution

Phenomenon of both melting and dissolving can be explained by particle theory of matter. When a solid melts or
dissolves, the particles moves and separate.

The only difference between melting and dissolving is that in melting process only one substance (ice) is involved.
In dissolving process, two substances are involved, i.e. the solute (sugar) and the solvent (water).

In melting of ice, water particles separate because they gain energy from the surrounding and moves faster and
faster.

In dissolving of sugar, sugar particles are constantly hit by water particles and loosen from the sugar granule to
form a solution.

Glossary investigation facts law hypothesis theory particle theory of matter diffuse
macro properties micro properties macroscopic world microscopic world state of matter
equilibrium positions kinetic energy sublimation

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