Change of State

Created and Edited by Maite Marin-Mera (Spring 2017)

Short Description of Topic

The Main Idea

All matter can move from one state to another under the right conditions. Depending on the properties of the matter changing states may require extreme temperature or pressure however it can be done. There are five different states of matter; gas, liquid, solid, plasma, and Bose-Einstein condensate.[1] The main idea of this wiki page is to discuss the properties of matter as it transitions between different states and how this relates to energy transfer.

An Overview

All matter can transition between the states dependent on its intrinsic properties. During these transitions there is a large change on the microscopic and macroscopic level of the matter. There is also typically a transfer of energy either into of from the matter undergoing the change.

Solid/Liquid

A very common phase change is between liquid and solids. This change of state is referred to as freezing (liquid to solid) or melting (solid to liquid).

So what is going on a microscopic level? In a solid the atoms and molecules are packed tightly together. This tightly packed arrangement does not allow for much movement between the particles. Therefore a solid has low kinetic energy. In the liquid phase the particles of a substance have more kinetic energy that those in a solid. The atoms and molecules have more movement resulting in a higher kinetic energy. In the change of state from solid to liquid there is energy required to overcome the binding forces that maintain its solid structure. This energy is called the heat of fusion. In the change of state from liquid to solid energy is given off. The energy given off by this transition is the same amount as the energy required to freeze the matter.

Liquid/Gas

A very common phase change is between liquid and gases. This change of state is referred to as vaporization (liquid to gas) or condensation (gas to liquid).

So what is going on a microscopic level? In a liquid the atoms and molecules are moving less than they would in the gas state. Therefore the gaseous state has a higher kinetic energy than the liquid state. This is due to the fact that atoms and molecules in liquids are still packed together more closely than the atoms and molecules in a gas. In the change of state from liquid to gas there is energy required to overcome the bonds between the more closely packed atoms and molecules. This energy is called the heat of vaporization. In the change of state from gas to liquid energy is given off by the transition. This energy is equal in magnitude to the energy required to transition from liquid to gas.

Other States Transitions into the two lesser known states are much harder to analyze and understand. As these states are only present under extreme and unique conditions they will not be discussed in depth. There are links below for further reading on these topics.

A Mathematical Model

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A Computational Model

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See also

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Further reading

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External links

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