Kézako: what is matter made of? Why is it solid, liquid or gaseous?
The three main states of matter are familiar to us. But if we want to explain why they exist, we have to dive into the heart of matter. So let's dive into this episode of Kézako, with Unisciel and the University of Lille 1, to discover matter in all its states.
Do you like our News? Subscribe to the Daily newsletter to receive our latest News once a day.At the heart of matter are atoms. They consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. Many can come together to form molecules. They are linked together by strong bonds, called covalent, established through their electrons.
In any material, molecules are held together by weak bonds, such as hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. The different states of matter - solid, liquid and gas being the best known - depend on the strength of these bonds, but also on the thermal agitation of the molecules, which can weaken these bonds.
Molecules are constantly in motion
Indeed, molecules have more or less kinetic energy, depending on the temperature, which implies that they are more or less in motion. Water, for example, becomes solid at low temperature, because the molecules are little agitated and the bonds between them are very strong. The molecules are very close to each other, so the ice is compact.
At room temperature, water is liquid: the molecules can move, but the bonds keep them close enough. Finally, water changes to a gaseous state when the temperature is high, because the thermal agitation is too great and prevents bonds from forming. The molecules are far apart, so the gas takes up more space.
© Kezako
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