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Diffusion

Kinetic Energy in Matters

a) Kinetic energy in solid, liquid and gas

We know all matter is made of tiny particles called atoms and molecules that we cannot see. If we could see them, we would see that they are constantly in motion. These random movements causes them to spread out

→ The energy of their motion is called kinetic energy or movement.

The kinetic energy in matters in 3 different states:

Solid substance’s atoms & molecules are all packed close together. They are constantly trying to separate but don’t have enough energy to do so - this process is diffusion. So they just vibrate in place.

Liquid on the other hand are still packed together but much more looser, which meant they have more space for the atoms/molecules to move.

Gases, on the other hand, they can move freely anywhere they want, they have the tendency to move away from each other -> diffusion.

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So we can result:

Gas have high kinetic energy

Liquid have medium

Solid have the least

b) Changes in Kinetic Energy

When temperature changes, the structure and amount of energy of atoms and molecules also changes.

As temperature decreases, atoms and molecules move slower, decreasing their kinetic energy. The particles move closer together.

As temperature increases, atoms and molecules move faster, increasing their kinetic energy. The particles move farther apart. With enough kinetic energy, gas particles can expand or break their container.

That means:

Increase in temperature = more kinetic

Decrease in temperature = less kinetic

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c) How fast can sound travel through the 3 states of matters?

Sound can travel through any solid, liquid, or gas medium. Sound waves transfer energy by causing vibrations in atoms and molecules. As the atoms and molecules begin to vibrate, they bounce off each other, and the wave moves through the substance in a domino effect.

Medium definition: a substance that transfer energy from a place to another - in this case: sound.

This table shows how fast sound can travel through the listed materials:

Material

Speed of sound (m/s)

aluminum

6,320

wood

3,850

water

1,437

air

343

There are no rows in this table

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As you can see, sound moves the fastest in solid, liquid is medium and finally slowest is gas.

The reason why some states are faster than the other depends on 2 factors:

Density of the substance

Elasticity of substance

The speed of sound depends on the density, elastic and temperature of the medium. The greater in elastic, temperature and the lower density of the medium, the faster sound can travel.

This is how elastic and dense states is:

# Temperature does not count in this table, it can be different.

States of Matters:

Elasticity

Density

Solid

High

Liquid

Medium

Gas

Low

There are no rows in this table

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Conclusion:

Warmer temperatures increase sound speed by making particles vibrate faster.

Denser mediums generally slow sound down.

But elasticity can change this, as sound travels quicker in more elastic materials.

# This 3 factors can change in different materials and states, which determines the speed of sound through the medium.

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