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VirginiaChemistry

Phases of Matter and Gas Laws

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why does temperature stay constant while ice melts, and what does a heating curve show?

Phase changes and heating curves: name the phase changes and their energy changes, and interpret a heating or cooling curve including the plateaus.
A focused Virginia SOL Chemistry answer on phase changes under CH.4: the names and energy direction of melting, freezing, vaporization, condensation and sublimation, and how to read a heating curve, including why temperature stays constant during a phase change.
9 min answer →

How does kinetic molecular theory explain the behavior of solids, liquids and gases?

States of matter and kinetic molecular theory: describe solids, liquids and gases in terms of particle arrangement and motion, and state the assumptions of kinetic molecular theory.
A focused Virginia SOL Chemistry answer on the states of matter under CH.4: how particles are arranged and move in solids, liquids and gases, the link between temperature and average kinetic energy, and the assumptions of kinetic molecular theory.
9 min answer →

How are the pressure, volume and temperature of a gas related?

The gas laws: use Boyle's law, Charles's law, Gay-Lussac's law and the combined gas law to relate the pressure, volume and temperature of a gas.
A focused Virginia SOL Chemistry answer on the gas laws under CH.4: Boyle's law (pressure and volume), Charles's law (volume and temperature), Gay-Lussac's law (pressure and temperature), and the combined gas law, with worked calculations and the need for Kelvin temperature.
10 min answer →

How do you bring the amount of gas into the picture with the ideal gas law?

The ideal gas law and molar volume: use the ideal gas law to relate pressure, volume, temperature and moles, and use the molar volume of a gas at STP.
A focused Virginia SOL Chemistry answer on the ideal gas law under CH.4: the equation PV = nRT and the value of R, when to use it instead of the combined gas law, and the molar volume of a gas (22.4 L per mole at STP).
9 min answer →