States of Matter

More About Atoms An atom is made up of a&nbsp;<a href="http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/matter/glossary.cfm#nucleus">nucleus</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/matter/glossary.cfm#neutrons">neutrons</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/matter/glossary.cfm#protons">protons</a>&nbsp;‐ even smaller particles than an atom. They are called&nbsp;<a href="http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/matter/glossary.cfm#subatomic%20particles">subatomic particles</a>.&nbsp;<a href="http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/matter/glossary.cfm#electrons">Electrons</a>&nbsp;circle around this nucleus. Atoms tend to have the same number of electrons as the number of protons in the nucleus. This number is very significant. Each kind of atom has a different number of protons. For example: oxygen has 8 protons. That means it also has 8 electrons. The 8 is known as its atomic number. But gold has 79 protons and 79 electrons. If you wanted to know how many protons and electrons are found in any given atom, the&nbsp;<a href="http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/matter/glossary.cfm#Periodic%20Table%20of%20the%20Elements">Periodic Table of the Elements</a>&nbsp;is the place to find out.

Solids A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-solid-604648">solid</a>&nbsp;has a definite shape and volume because the molecules that make up the solid are packed closely together and move slowly. Solids are often crystalline; examples of crystalline solids include table salt, sugar, diamonds, and many other minerals. Solids are sometimes formed when liquids or gasses are cooled; ice is an example of a cooled liquid which has become solid. Other examples of solids include wood, metal, and rock at room temperature. Liquids A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-liquid-604558">liquid</a>&nbsp;has a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-volume-in-chemistry-604686">definite volume</a>&nbsp;but takes the shape of its container. Examples of liquids include water and oil. Gasses may liquefy when they cool, as is the case with water vapor. This occurs as the molecules in the gas slow down and lose energy. Solids may liquefy when they heat up; molten lava is an example of solid rock which has liquefied as a result of intense heat.

Gases A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-gas-604478">gas</a>&nbsp;has neither a definite volume nor a definite shape. Some gasses can be seen and felt,&nbsp;while others are intangible for human beings. Examples of gases are air, oxygen, and helium. Earth's atmosphere is made up of gases including nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

Compounds I bet you can't find salt on the Periodic Table of the Elements. That's because salt is actually made of two elements; sodium and chloride. You can find both of those on the table. The sodium and chloride atoms of salt are linked together much like magnets can link together. We call this a&nbsp;<a href="http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/matter/glossary.cfm#compound">compound</a>. Water is a compound made of oxygen and hydrogen. Sugar ‐ the white stuff you put into cookies ‐ is made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Lots of the substances around us are compounds. From vinegar to household bleach to nail polish remover to baking soda to aspirin ‐ we use compounds all around our homes.

By Ömer Y. (Esendeniz Teacher) Student Kadri Şaman Mtso Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School

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