States of Matter and Changes of State - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

14 original exam-style questions - 4 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

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This topic is chapter 1 of IGCSE Chemistry Practice Book.

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2.1 States of Matter and Changes of State

EDEXCEL 4CH1 · Calculator allowed · about 45 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

In the simple particle model for solids, describe the arrangement of the particles and how tightly they are packed. Context: states of matter topic.

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

State how the motion of particles in a liquid compares with that in a solid. Context: particle movement in different states of matter.

(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)

Complete the diagram: a simple labelled sketch is required showing particle arrangement for a solid, liquid and gas in separate boxes. Describe one label for each box that explains particle movement. Context: diagram labelling of particle models.

(Total for Question 3 is 2 marks)

Describe two differences in particle spacing and movement between liquids and gases, as used in the particle model. Context: comparison of liquid and gas particles.

(Total for Question 4 is 2 marks)

State what is observed and explain particle behaviour when water vapour is cooled and condenses on a cold surface. Context: condensation as a change of state.

(Total for Question 5 is 2 marks)

State the relative average kinetic energy of particles in the three states solid, liquid and gas. Context: particle energy and temperature in states of matter.

(Total for Question 6 is 2 marks)

Describe what happens to particle movement and spacing when a solid is heated to become a liquid. Context: melting and particle behaviour.

(Total for Question 7 is 2 marks)

Describe what happens to particles and to the state of a liquid when it is heated until it boils, naming the change of state. Context: boiling and particle behaviour.

(Total for Question 8 is 3 marks)

A student shows diffusion of ammonia and hydrogen chloride by placing concentrated aqueous NH3 at one end of a glass tube and concentrated HCl at the other end so that white ammonium chloride forms where the gases meet. State where the white ring forms relative to the two ends if ammonia molecules are lighter and explain why using particle ideas. Context: practical diffusion demonstration.

(Total for Question 9 is 2 marks)

Explain, in terms of particles, why gases are much easier to compress than liquids. Context: compressibility and particle spacing.

(Total for Question 10 is 2 marks)

Describe the diffusion demonstration using bromine gas in a glass tube and explain what the observation shows about particle movement. Context: diffusion as evidence for moving particles.

(Total for Question 11 is 3 marks)

Describe sublimation using a named example (for example solid iodine or dry ice), and state what the particle model says happens during sublimation. Context: sublimation as solid to gas change.

(Total for Question 12 is 2 marks)

Suggest two realistic improvements a student could make to a diffusion practical in which they time how long it takes a coloured gas to spread along a tube, to make the results more reliable. Context: practical method improvements and control.

(Total for Question 13 is 2 marks)

Explain why gases are generally easier to compress and why diffusion in gases is faster than in liquids, using particle model ideas. In your answer consider particle spacing, energy and collisions. Context: extended explanation comparing gas and liquid particle behaviour.

(Total for Question 14 is 6 marks)

Mark scheme · 2.1 States of Matter and Changes of State

Question 1

B1 particles closely packed in a regular fixed arrangement
Answer: Particles are closely packed in a regular fixed arrangement.

Question 2

B1 particles move past each other and can flow
Answer: Particles move past each other and can flow; they have more motion than in a solid.

Question 3

B1 solid box: particles very close together in fixed positions, labelled with 'vibrate in fixed positions' or equivalent
B1 liquid box: particles close but not fixed, labelled with 'move/slide past each other' or equivalent
Answer: Solid: very close, fixed, vibrate; Liquid: close, move/slide past each other; Gas: far apart, free rapid motion.

Question 4

B1 liquid: particles close together with little space between them
B1 gas: particles far apart, widely spaced and moving rapidly in all directions
Answer: Liquids have particles close together with little space; gases have particles far apart and moving rapidly in all directions.

Question 5

B1 observation: droplets form on the cold surface
B1 explanation: gas particles lose energy, slow down and come closer together to form liquid
Answer: Droplets form on the cold surface; gas particles lose energy, slow down and come closer together to form liquid.

Question 6

B1 order given as solid < liquid < gas
B1 or statement that gas particles have the highest and solids the lowest average kinetic energy
Answer: Solid < Liquid < Gas, gases have the highest average kinetic energy and solids the lowest.

Question 7

B1 particles gain energy and move faster
B1 particles break fixed positions, move past each other and spacing increases slightly
Answer: Particles gain energy and move faster; they break fixed positions and can move past each other so spacing increases slightly.

Question 8

B1 particles gain more energy and move much faster
B1 particles overcome forces between them and move far apart
B1 the liquid changes to a gas, this change of state is boiling (or vaporisation)
Answer: Particles gain energy and move much faster, overcoming attractions and moving far apart so the liquid becomes a gas; this change of state is boiling.

Question 9

B1 the white ring forms nearer to the HCl end (the heavier gas travels less far)
B1 explanation: lighter NH3 molecules diffuse faster and travel further before meeting HCl, so the reaction location is nearer the heavier gas
Answer: The white ring forms nearer to the HCl end; lighter ammonia diffuses faster and travels further so the meeting point is closer to the heavier HCl.

Question 10

B1 gas particles are far apart with large spaces between them
B1 these large spaces can be reduced when compressed, whereas liquid particles are already close together so they cannot be compressed much
Answer: Gas particles are far apart with large gaps that can be pushed closer together when compressed; liquids have particles already close so there is little space to reduce.

Question 11

B1 description: brown bromine vapour introduced at one end spreads along the tube towards the other end over time
B1 observation: bromine colour gradually appears throughout the tube as the gas mixes with air
B1 conclusion: shows gas particles move and mix by random motion, providing evidence for diffusion
Answer: Brown bromine vapour spreads from the end where it is introduced until the colour is seen throughout the tube; this shows gas particles move and mix by random motion, demonstrating diffusion.

Question 12

B1 gives a named example, e.g. solid iodine or dry ice (solid CO2) that sublimes
B1 explains that particles gain enough energy to go directly from the fixed solid positions to widely spaced gas particles, without passing through liquid
Answer: Example: solid iodine or dry ice sublimes; particles gain enough energy to leave the solid and become gas particles directly, skipping the liquid state.

Question 13

B1 repeat the experiment several times and take a mean
B1 control variables such as temperature and initial concentration or use the same length/volume of gas each time
Answer: Repeat trials and average results; keep temperature and concentrations constant (and use same tube length) to control variables.

Question 14

Level 1 (1-2): Simple statements about one or two relevant facts, such as noting that gas particles are far apart or that particles move and collide.
Level 2 (3-4): Clear explanation covering particle spacing and movement for both gas and liquid, with some linking to compressibility or diffusion, but missing one supporting point or lacking depth in collision or energy discussion.
Level 3 (5-6): Detailed explanation comparing gases and liquids, referring to particle spacing, higher particle energy in gases, frequency of collisions and how these factors lead to easier compression and faster diffusion, with logical reasoning and examples.
Indicative content:
- Gases have particles that are widely spaced compared with liquids, so there is much empty space that can be reduced when compressed
- Liquids have particles close together with little free space, so they are much less compressible
- Gas particles have, on average, higher kinetic energy at the same temperature compared with how confined they behave in liquids, leading to faster motion
- Faster motion and large free paths between particles make collisions that move particles into new regions more effective in gases, increasing diffusion rate
- Diffusion is the net movement from high to low concentration; because gas particles move faster and have more space, the net mixing is quicker than in liquids
- Examples or links: a bicycle pump compresses air easily because the large gaps between molecules are reduced; dye spreads more slowly in water than a gas spreads in a container

States of Matter and Changes of State - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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2.1 States of Matter and Changes of State

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