States of Matter
IGCSE Chemistry Paper 2 Practice
Section 1.1: Solids, Liquids & Gases
Exam Instructions
- • Answer ALL questions in the spaces provided
- • Use scientific terminology from the mark scheme
- • For particle diagrams: show clear separation and arrangement
- • Keywords like "vibrate", "slide", "random", "lattice" are essential
Reference: Particle Diagrams for Questions 1-5
Key Observations: Notice the separation, arrangement, and implied motion of particles in each state.
Section A: Visual Identification
The diagrams below show particles in three different states of matter. Which diagram shows particles in the LIQUID state?
Your answer:
Study the particle diagrams. In which state of matter are the particles MOST closely packed together?
Your answer:
Draw a particle diagram to represent the arrangement of particles in a GAS. Your diagram should show at least 8 particles in a container.
Drawing space (in real exam, you would draw here)
Your answer:
Which particle diagram shows a substance that can FLOW but has a FIXED VOLUME?
Your answer:
Compare the arrangement of particles in Diagram A (solid) and Diagram C (gas). State TWO differences.
Your answer:
Section B: Properties & Particle Motion
Which state of matter has a FIXED VOLUME but NO FIXED SHAPE?
Your answer:
Describe the MOTION of particles in a SOLID.
Your answer:
Describe the MOTION of particles in a LIQUID.
Your answer:
Describe the MOTION of particles in a GAS.
Your answer:
State whether GASES can be compressed easily or not. Explain your answer in terms of particle separation.
Your answer:
Section C: Comparisons & Applications
Compare the SEPARATION of particles in a GAS and a LIQUID. Which has particles more widely separated?
Your answer:
Compare the ARRANGEMENT of particles in a SOLID and a LIQUID.
Your answer:
Explain why a SOLID has a fixed shape but a LIQUID does not.
Your answer:
A student has samples of the same substance in all three states. Compare the DENSITY of the solid, liquid, and gas forms. Place them in order from HIGHEST to LOWEST density.
Your answer:
A teacher places a drop of perfume in one corner of a sealed classroom. After 5 minutes, students across the room can smell it. Use your knowledge of particle motion in GASES to explain this observation.
Your answer:
🎯 Exam Strategy Tips
Particle Motion Keywords:
- • Solid: vibrate, fixed positions
- • Liquid: slide, random motion
- • Gas: rapid, random directions
Common Exam Mistakes:
- • ✗ Saying particles are "stationary" in solids
- • ✗ Forgetting to mention "random" for gas motion
- • ✗ Not comparing when asked to "compare"
- • ✗ Drawing gas particles too close together
Keep reading — this lesson marks itself done automatically.