The Kinetic Theory Model: Solids, Liquids, and Gases – 14.1

Properties of Matter – Edexcel Combined Science (1SC0)

In this course, Dr Chris Bell (University of Bristol) explores the particle picture of matter while covering Topic 14 – The Particle Picture and parts of Topic 15 – Forces and Matter in the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science (1SC0) specification. In the first mini-lecture, we use the kinetic theory model to understand the differences between solids, liquids, and gases on a microscopic level (Topic 14.1). In the second mini-lecture, we learn about density and explain the differences in density between the different states of matter in terms of the arrangements their atoms or molecules (Topics 14.2, 14.3). In the third mini-lecture, we explore changes in state, discussing melting, boiling and evaporating, subliming, condensing, freezing, and subliming (Topics 14.5, 14.6). In the fourth mini-lecture we introduce specific heat capacity and specific latent heat (Topics 14.7, 14.8, 14.9). In the fifth mini-lecture, we investigate how to measure specific heat capacity and specific latent heat (Topics 14.10, 14.11). In the sixth mini-lecture, learn about pressure using the Particle Picture (Topics 14.12, 14.13). In the seventh mini-lecture, we introduce absolute temperature, Kelvin (Topics 14.14 and 14.15) and include an enrichment discussion of internal energy and average kinetic energy. In the eighth-lecture, we show two experiments involving specific heat capacity, specific latent heat, and liquid nitrogen in a Dewar flask.

The Kinetic Theory Model: Solids, Liquids, and Gases – 14.1

In this mini-lecture, we cover Topic 14.1 by using the kinetic theory model to understand the differences between solids, liquids, and gases on a microscopic level. In particular, we think about: (i) the size of an atom and what it is composed of (nucleus containing protons and neutrons with electrons surrounding it); (ii) the Particle Picture of the atom; (iii) atoms forming molecules like H₂0; (iv) the three most common states of matter – solid, liquid, and gas – and their key properties; (v) three examples that show why the difference between a solid, liquid, and gas is not always clear (pitch drop experiment, supercritical fluids, and non-Newtonian fluids), which serves as non-examinable enrichment material to conclude this video.