CHAPTER 7Fa-STATES OF MATTER PGS 92-93

1. What are the differences between solid, liquids, and gases?

Ans: Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter that exist on Earth. They differ in their physical
properties, such as shape, volume, and compressibility.
a) Solids: Solids have a definite shape and volume. They maintain a fixed shape when subjected to
external forces, and they cannot be compressed easily because their particles are closely packed
together. Examples of solids include ice, metals, and rocks.
b) Liquids: Liquids have a definite volume but no definite shape. They can take the shape of any container
they are poured into and can flow easily. Liquids are less dense than solids and can be compressed
slightly. Examples of liquids include water, oil, and milk.
c) Gases: Gases have no definite shape or volume. They take the shape and volume of their container and
can flow freely. Gases are highly compressible because their particles are far apart and can be easily
compressed by external forces. Examples of gases include air, helium, and carbon dioxide.
These three states of matter can also undergo changes of state, such as melting, boiling, and condensing. For
example, a solid can be melted into a liquid and then boiled into a gas. Conversely, a gas can be condensed
into a liquid and then frozen into a solid.
OR,
Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter that exist on Earth. The main differences between these
states of matter are their molecular arrangements, volume, and compressibility.
a) Solids: Solids have a fixed shape and volume. The molecules in solids are tightly packed together and
are arranged in a fixed pattern. They have strong intermolecular forces of attraction, which make them
difficult to compress. Examples of solids include rocks, metals, and ice.
b) Liquids: Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container. The molecules in liquids
are loosely packed together and are free to move around, but still have some intermolecular forces of
attraction. Liquids are more compressible than solids but less compressible than gases. Examples of
liquids include water, oil, and blood.
c) Gases: Gases have no definite shape or volume. The molecules in gases are far apart from each other
and move around freely, with weak intermolecular forces of attraction. Gases are highly compressible
and can expand to fill any container they are placed in. Examples of gases include air, helium, and
carbon dioxide.
In summary, solids have a fixed shape and volume, liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their
container, and gases have no definite shape or volume.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BASED ON - "In a household waste recycling center, solids, liquids, and
gases, are all stored separately. This is because they all have different properties and need to be
handled in different ways. Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter. "
1. Why are solids, liquids, and gases stored separately at a household waste recycling center?
A: Solids, liquids, and gases are stored separately at a household waste recycling center because they all
have different properties and need to be handled in different ways.
2. What are the three states of matter?
A: The three states of matter are solids, liquids, and gases.
3. What is the property of solids that makes them different from liquids and gases?
A: Solids have a fixed shape and volume, whereas liquids and gases do not.
4. Why are liquids more compressible than solids but less compressible than gases?
 A: Liquids are more compressible than solids because their molecules are loosely packed, but less
compressible than gases because they still have some forces of attraction.
5. What is the main difference between gases and solids?
A: The main difference between gases and solids is that gases have no definite shape or volume, while
solids have a fixed shape and volume.
6. Give an example of a solid.
A: Rocks, metals, and ice are examples of solids.
7. Why are solids difficult to compress?
A: Solids are difficult to compress because their molecules are tightly packed together and have strong
intermolecular forces of attraction.
8. Name an example of a liquid.
A: Water, oil, and blood are examples of liquids.
9. Why do solids, liquids, and gases need to be handled differently?
A: Solids, liquids, and gases need to be handled differently because they have different properties and
behave differently. For example, liquids can spill and gases can escape, so they need to be stored and
transported differently than solids.
10. What is the most compressible state of matter?
A: Gases are the most compressible state of matter.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BASED ON - "Solids- Once useful materials have been removed at a
recycling center, the rest of the solid waste is taken to a landfill site. Solids stay in one place, unless
they are pushed or pulled. So, the solids in the truck stay in place when they are transported. Solids do
not flow. The volume of an object is the amount of space that it takes up. It is measured in cubic
centimeters. Bits of solid don’t change their volumes. In other words, they cannot be squashed. We say
that any object that is heavy for its volume is dense. Solids are often dense."
1. What happens to solid waste after useful materials are removed at a recycling center?
A: The rest of the solid waste is taken to a landfill site.
2. How do solids behave when they are transported?
A: Solids stay in one place when they are transported, unless they are pushed or pulled. They do not flow.
3. How is the volume of an object measured?
A: The volume of an object is measured in cubic centimeters.
4. Can bits of solid change their volumes?
A: No, bits of solid do not change their volumes. They cannot be squashed.
5. What is density?
A: Density is the measure of how much mass there is in a given volume of a substance.
6. When do we say that an object is dense?
A: We say that any object that is heavy for its volume is dense.
7. Are solids often dense?
 A: Yes, solids are often dense.
8. What happens to solids in a landfill site?
A: Solids stay in one place in a landfill site, and they do not decompose easily.
9. Why do solids not flow?
A: Solids do not flow because their particles are closely packed together.
10. How can you tell if an object is heavy for its volume?
A: You can tell if an object is heavy for its volume by calculating its density.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BASED ON - “Liquids- It would be very difficult to transport liquid waste in
an open truck. The liquid would slosh about as it moved. This shows us one of the important properties
of liquids- they flow. Liquids need to be transported in sealed containers. They are often carries in
tankers. The fact that liquids flow makes it easy for them to be pumped into and out of tankers. Liquids
don’t change their volumes – they cannot be squashed. Liquids are quite dense but usually less dense
than solids.”
1. Why is it difficult to transport liquid waste in an open truck?
A: It is difficult to transport liquid waste in an open truck because the liquid would slosh about as it moved,
due to the flow property of liquids.
2. What is one of the important properties of liquids?
A: One of the important properties of liquids is that they flow.
3. How do liquids need to be transported?
A: Liquids need to be transported in sealed containers, often in tankers.
4. Why is it easy to pump liquids into and out of tankers?
A: The fact that liquids flow makes it easy to pump them into and out of tankers.
5. Can liquids be squashed?
A: No, liquids do not change their volumes, so they cannot be squashed.
6. Are liquids usually less dense than solids?
A: Yes, liquids are quite dense but usually less dense than solids.
7. What are some examples of liquids that are often transported in tankers?
A: Some examples of liquids that are often transported in tankers include gasoline, oil, and milk.
8. Why is it important to transport liquids in sealed containers?
A: It is important to transport liquids in sealed containers to prevent spills and leaks that could harm the
environment and living organisms.
9. What are some ways that liquids are used in everyday life?
A: Some ways that liquids are used in everyday life include drinking water, cooking oils, and cleaning
solutions.
10. How do the properties of liquids differ from those of solids and gases?
A: Liquids have a fixed volume but no fixed shape, they can flow, and they cannot be squashed, which are
different from the properties of solids and gases.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BASED ON – “Gases - These gas cylinders have been left at the recycling
center. They may still contain flammable gases so they are stored away from other areas. Gases are
stored in tightly sealed containers because they flow easily, and spread out to fill whatever container
they are in. A slight break in the seal of the container will let all the gas escape. Another reason for
storing a gas in cylinders is that a gas does not have a fixed volume. You can squash lots of gas into a
small cylinder. Some of the cylinders contained propane, which is burned in gas cookers. You can cook
for many hours many hours using a single cylinder. Gases are not very dense. They are all less dense
than liquids.”
1. Why are gas cylinders stored away from other areas at a recycling center?
A: Gas cylinders are stored away from other areas at a recycling center because they may still contain
flammable gases.
2. Why are gases stored in tightly sealed containers?
A: Gases are stored in tightly sealed containers because they flow easily and can spread out to fill any
container, they are in. A slight break in the seal of the container will let all the gas escape.
3. Why are gases stored in cylinders?
A: Gases are often stored in cylinders because they do not have a fixed volume and can be easily
compressed into a small space.
4. What is an example of a gas that is often stored in cylinders and used in gas cookers?
A: Propane is an example of a gas that is often stored in cylinders and used in gas cookers.
5. How long can you cook using a single cylinder of propane?
A: You can cook for many hours using a single cylinder of propane.
6. Are gases dense?
A: No, gases are not very dense. They are all less dense than liquids.
7. What are some examples of other common gases?
A: Some examples of common gases include oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
8. Why is it important to handle gases carefully?
A: It is important to handle gases carefully because they can be flammable, toxic, or reactive, and can pose
a danger to human health and the environment if not handled properly.
9. What are some industrial or commercial uses of gases?
A: Some industrial or commercial uses of gases include welding, refrigeration, and packaging.
10. How do the properties of gases differ from those of solids and liquids?
A: Gases do not have a fixed volume or shape, they can flow and spread out to fill any container they are in,
and they are less dense than both solids and liquids, which are some of the key differences between the
properties of gases and those of solids and liquids.
ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION IN THE BOOK OF PAGES 92 AND 93
1. Name the three states of matter.
A: The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas.
2. What properties of solids make them useful for building houses?
A: The properties of solids that make them useful for building houses are their strength, durability, and ability
to hold their shape.
***What is a landfill site?
A: A landfill site is a designated area where waste is buried underground.
3. Why can solid waste be left in piles at a landfill site?
A: Solid waste can be left in piles at a landfill site because it does not decompose easily and does not
release harmful gases into the environment. The waste is also compacted and covered with soil to prevent it
from attracting pests and rodents.
4. Describe two properties of liquids.
A: Two properties of liquids are that they have the ability to flow and take the shape of their container. Unlike
solids, liquids do not have a fixed shape, but instead take the shape of the container they are in.
Additionally, liquids have a definite volume, but they can be compressed to some extent.
OR,
Two properties of liquids are that they have a fixed volume but no fixed shape, and they can flow and take
on the shape of their container.
5. If harmful substances get into the earth, they can kill plants. Explain why liquids are not taken to landfill
sites. Use a property of liquids in your answer.
A: Liquids are not taken to landfill sites because they can seep into the ground and contaminate the soil and
groundwater, which can be harmful to plants and other living organisms. This is because liquids have the
property of flow and can take on the shape of their container, which makes them more difficult to contain
and control compared to solids. Therefore, liquids need to be handled and disposed of properly, often
through specialized treatment processes, to prevent harm to the environment.
Or,
Liquids are not taken to landfill sites because they have the property of being able to flow and take on the
shape of their container. If harmful liquids were disposed of in a landfill site, they could seep into the ground
and contaminate the soil and groundwater, which can harm plants and other organisms. Landfills are
designed to contain solid waste, and hazardous liquids are typically disposed of in specialized facilities that
can safely handle and treat them.
Or,
Liquids are not taken to landfill sites because they can easily flow and seep through the soil, contaminating
the surrounding environment and potentially harming plants and other living organisms. This property of
liquids, where they can flow and take on the shape of their container, makes them more difficult to contain
and control than solids, which can be stored in one place. Therefore, liquid waste is often treated separately
and disposed of in specialized facilities that can safely handle and manage their properties.