Solved Questions on Physical Nature of Matter
1. Imagine you have a solid metal cube and a liquid-filled container of the same volume. When subjected to the same amount of external force, the metal cube doesn't change shape, but the liquid in the container adapts its shape. Which fundamental property is primarily responsible for this difference?
a) Density
b) Intermolecular forces
c) Particle size
d) Kinetic energy
Answer: b) The primary factor responsible for the difference in behaviour between the solid metal cube and the liquid-filled container is the strength of intermolecular forces. In a solid, the intermolecular forces are strong, causing the particles to maintain their fixed positions and resist changes in shape. This rigidity allows the metal cube to retain its shape.
In contrast, the intermolecular forces in liquids are weaker, allowing the particles to move more freely and adapt their shape to the container they are placed in. This is why the liquid-filled container can change its shape when subjected to external forces.
2. Select the statement that accurately distinguishes an extensive property from an intensive property.
a) Extensive properties are independent of the quantity of matter, while intensive properties depend on quantity.
b) Extensive properties are constant regardless of changes in conditions, while intensive properties change with conditions.
c) Extensive properties are directly proportional to volume, while intensive properties are inversely proportional.
d) Extensive properties include density and temperature, while intensive properties include mass and energy.
Answer: a) Extensive properties, such as mass and volume, depend on the quantity or amount of matter present. If you have more of a substance, its extensive properties will increase proportionally.
Intensive properties, on the other hand, are independent of the quantity of matter and remain constant regardless of how much of the substance is present. Examples of intensive properties include density, temperature, and colour.
3. A car's tires experience more wear and tear during summer compared to winter. How can the behaviour of particles in the tire material explain this phenomenon?
a) The particles in the tire material freeze during winter.
b) The particles in the tire material vibrate less during summer.
c) The particles in the tire material move more rapidly in warm temperatures.
d) The particles in the tire material become more rigid in cold temperatures.
Answer: c) In warmer temperatures, the particles in the tire material gain energy and move more rapidly due to increased kinetic energy. This increased motion results in a softer tire compound and can lead to greater friction between the tire and the road surface. As a result, the tire wears down more quickly during summer because the increased kinetic energy of the particles in the tire material contributes to higher friction and more wear and tear.
4. You are tasked with developing a temperature-resistant material for spacecraft re-entry. Which property of matter should your material primarily focus on to withstand the extreme heat?
a) Rigidity to maintain its shape under pressure.
b) Conductivity to transfer heat away from the surface.
c) Ability to expand and contract with changing temperatures.
d) High melting point to resist deformation from heat.
Answer: d) When a spacecraft re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, it experiences extreme temperatures due to the friction between the spacecraft and the air molecules. To withstand this heat, the material needs to have a high melting point. A high melting point ensures that the material remains solid and retains its structural integrity even under the extreme temperatures encountered during re-entry. This prevents the material from deforming, melting, or becoming structurally compromised due to heat.
5. A student conducts an experiment to compare the diffusion rates of two gases, A and B. She places gas A at one end of a long tube and gas B at the other end, separated by a partition. After a certain time, she observes that gas A has diffused farther than gas B. Which factor most likely explains this observation?
a) Gas A has a higher molecular weight than gas B.
b) Gas B has a higher temperature than gas A.
c) Gas A has a lower density than gas B.
d) Gas B has stronger intermolecular forces than gas A.
Answer: a) Heavier molecules diffuse more slowly than lighter ones. In this scenario, gas A having a higher molecular weight than gas B would explain why gas A has diffused less compared to gas B. The lighter molecules of gas B would move faster and travel farther in the same time period, resulting in the observed difference in diffusion distances.
FAQs
1. How does temperature affect the state of matter?
Temperature has a major effect on the condition of matter. When a material is heated, it can transition from solid to liquid (melting) and subsequently to gas (boiling). In contrast, cooling can cause a gas to condense into a liquid, which subsequently freezes into a solid.
2. What is density, and how is it calculated?
The density of a substance is defined as the amount of mass contained in a given volume. It is computed by dividing an object's mass by volume. High-density compounds contain particles firmly packed together, whereas low-density substances have particles more spread apart.
3. What are some examples of physical changes in matter?
Physical changes in matter do not affect the chemical composition of a material. Examples include state transitions (solid to liquid to gas), shape or size changes, and the dissolution of one substance into another.
4. Can matter change from one state to another without temperature change?
Yes, matter may transition from one state to another without changing temperatures via processes such as sublimation (solid to gas) and deposition (gas to solid). These changes occur as a result of pressure changes or other external sources.
5. Can matter be in more than three states?
Yes, matter may exist in different states under certain circumstances. Plasma, for example, is a state of matter seen in stars and lightning bolts, whereas Bose-Einstein condensate occurs at extremely low temperatures.
