Week 6 Reflection

During chemistry class this week, we were introduced to the main idea of particles and what affects its motion. As a class, we agreed to represent the movement of particles by drawing arrows or more formally known as "whooshies". While reviewing the movement of particles in solids, no matter how "solid" an object is, we were able to determine that there are always particles in motion even if they don't appear to be moving. Between each of the molecules are small consistent attractions and repulsions that cause the molecules to continue this pattern. Most molecules in solids are in a lattice pattern to prevent the solid from potentially falling apart. Of the three states of matter, solids are the most dense and are the coldest as well.

Upon the reviewing of the molecular makeup of a liquid, the attraction and repulsion cycle is broken and the molecules are now floating freely and randomly. Liquids seek the lowest possible level of Earth and do not have a designated molecular structure; they simply take the shape of the container they are in. The particles in liquids are more active than those in solids, but are less active than those in a gas. A liquid's temperature is warmer than a solid's and is also less dense. As for gases, they are the warmest and least dense of the three states of matter. Gases have no molecular structure and have far more molecular range of motion than solids and liquids. Of the three states of matter, gas particles move most easily about compared to that of liquids and solids.

Other concepts we were introduced to this past week involved fluidity, rigidity, and viscosity. The concept of fluidity only applies to gases and liquids and is defined as the flow ability for particles. As an example, think of a cup of hot tea. A cup of tea with lemon juice in it is more fluid than a cup of tea with honey due to the fact that lemon juice isn't as thick as honey and has a thinner consistency. However, gases are far more fluid than liquids. This then ties into the idea of viscosity, the resistance to flow. As for the lemon juice and honey example, this would then mean that the glass of tea with honey is more viscous than the tea with the lemon juice. Liquids are more viscous, but less fluid than gases. As for rigidity, it is defined as the rigidness or stiffness of an object that only applies to solids.