StateLiquid
Temperature25 °C
Particle speed1.00
SpacingMedium

Particle Diagrams for Matter

See how arrangement and motion create states of matter
Workspace

Particle chamber

Observe close particles sliding past one another.

Controls

25 °C
0 °C/s
32
1×
1×

Live measurements

StateLiquid
Mean speed1.00
Relative density0.82
Elapsed time0.0 s

Liquid particles remain close but continually change neighbors.

Particle focus

Tap a particle or apparatus part to inspect it.

Heating and cooling history

Temperature Phase boundary

Teacher tools

Interactive narration

Ready. Narration starts only when requested.
Step 1 of 80%

What to watch:

Chapters

Learning objectives

  • Compare particle arrangement, spacing, and motion in solids, liquids, and gases.
  • Relate temperature to particle kinetic energy.
  • Explain melting, freezing, boiling, and condensation with particles.
  • Use a particle diagram to predict shape, volume, density, and compressibility.

Key concepts

Solid particles vibrate about fixed positions. Liquid particles stay close while sliding and changing neighbors. Gas particles move rapidly with large gaps and collide with container walls.

Heating raises average kinetic energy. During a phase change, added energy weakens attractions before temperature rises again.

Try these experiments

  • Heat the solid slowly through melting.
  • Cool a gas and watch condensation.
  • Compare particle spacing at the same count.
  • Track one particle in each state.

Matter challenge

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