Table of Contents
What is the main cause of matter changing state?
Physical conditions like temperature and pressure affect state of matter. When thermal energy is added to a substance, its temperature increases, which can change its state from solid to liquid (melting), liquid to gas (vaporization), or solid to gas (sublimation).
How can the three states of water be changed?
Materials can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling. Water can be observed as a liquid, a solid (ice), or a gas (water vapour) and moves around the environment in a process known as the water cycle. If ice (solid) is heated, it changes to water (liquid). This change is called melting.
What are the changes of state?
Changes of state are physical changes in matter. They are reversible changes that do not involve changes in matter’s chemical makeup or chemical properties. Common changes of state include melting, freezing, sublimation, deposition, condensation, and vaporization.
How can water be changed from one state to another state?
Water can change from one state to another.
- When liquid water gets very cold, it freezes and becomes a solid (ice, frost or snow). This is solidification.
- When ice or snow gets warm, it becomes liquid water.
- When liquid water gets hot, it becomes water vapour.
- When water vapour gets cold, it becomes liquid water.
What determines the state of water?
Which state a substance is in depends partly on temperature and air pressure. For example, at the air pressure found at sea level, water exists as a liquid at temperatures between 0oC and 100oC. Above 100oC, water exists as a gas (water vapor). Below 0oC, water exists as a solid (ice).
How does water change its form?
Water changes form from liquid to gas by the process of evaporation. Water vapor can also change back to liquid by the process of condensation. Condensation and Evaporation are two processes that are extremely important for the water cycle to occur.