describe the particles when water is a liquid. what is their distance from one another? how quickly do they move? what do their collisions look like?
When water is in the liquid state, its particles are relatively close to one another compared to the gas state. The distance between water molecules in liquid water is approximately 0.1 nanometers (nm).
The particles in liquid water are in constant motion, continuously vibrating, rotating, and moving. However, their movement is relatively slower compared to the gas state. On average, water molecules move at a speed of about 590 meters per second.
Due to their constant movement, the particles in liquid water frequently collide with each other. These collisions are mostly elastic, meaning that no kinetic energy is lost during the collision. The collisions lead to the constant rearrangement of particles in the liquid, causing them to flow and take the shape of their container.
describe the particles when water is a solid. what is their distance from one another? how quickly do they move? what do their collisions look like?
When water is in the solid state, it becomes ice, and its particles are arranged in a regular, three-dimensional crystalline structure. In this solid state, the particles are held together by strong intermolecular forces, forming a rigid lattice.
The distance between water molecules in solid ice is slightly greater than in liquid water, typically around 0.276nm. The structure of the solid lattice allows for less free movement of particles compared to the liquid state.
The movement of water molecules in ice is significantly reduced compared to the liquid state. The particles still have some vibrational motion, but their overall movement is limited to oscillations within their fixed positions. This results in a slower overall speed compared to the liquid and gas states.
Collisions between particles in solid ice are generally limited to their close neighbors within the lattice. The collisions mainly involve small vibrations and rotations around their fixed positions, rather than free movement or flow. These collisions contribute to the overall rigidity and stability of the solid structure.
When water is in its liquid state, the particles are in constant motion and are closely packed together. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of their characteristics:
1. Distance between water particles: In the liquid state, water particles are relatively close to each other compared to other states of matter such as gas. The average distance between water molecules is about 0.3 nanometers.
2. Particle movement: Water molecules move in a random but continuous fashion. They constantly vibrate, rotate, and translate (move in a straight line) in all directions. The movement of particles is facilitated by the thermal energy they possess.
3. Speed of movement: The average speed of water molecules in liquid water is influenced by temperature. At room temperature (around 25°C or 77°F), the average speed of water molecules is approximately 590 meters per second. However, note that the individual speeds of molecules vary, and their distribution follows a particular pattern described by the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.
4. Collisions between particles: As water molecules move, they collide with each other. These collisions can be elastic (without any energy loss) or inelastic (with some energy loss). During collisions, the water molecules may exchange energy and change their direction of motion.
It's important to note that these descriptions of water particles in the liquid state provide a simplified understanding of their behavior, as the properties of liquids can often be complex and highly dependent on various external factors.