# The Particle Model of Matter

This worksheet checks what you know about how particles behave in solids, liquids, and gases, and how their movement and arrangement create physical properties like mass, volume, and density ([Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473), [Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). You will use the particle model of matter to explain and compare everyday materials.

## Exercises

**1. Matching**

Match each state of matter to the correct description of how its particles behave.

| State of Matter | Description |
|---|---|
| A) Solid | 1) Particles are close together and slide past each other |
| B) Liquid | 2) Particles are far apart and move in all directions |
| C) Gas | 3) Particles are close together and vibrate in place |

Solid: ______ Liquid: ______ Gas: ______

**2. Fill in the blanks**

Use these words to complete the sentences: **spaces, moving, particles**

a) All matter is made up of small ______________.

b) Particles of matter are always ______________.

c) Particles of matter have ______________ between them.

**3. Multiple choice**

In which state of matter are the attractive forces between particles the strongest?

A) Solid
B) Liquid
C) Gas
D) The forces are the same in all three states

Circle your answer.

**4. Short answer**

Explain, in your own words, why a gas can be squeezed into a smaller space (compressed) much more easily than a solid. Use the words "particles" and "spaces" in your answer.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

**5. Draw and label**

In the box below, draw three small circles arrangements to represent the particles in a solid, a liquid, and a gas. Label each drawing.

Solid box:
______________________
______________________
______________________

Liquid box:
______________________
______________________
______________________

Gas box:
______________________
______________________
______________________

**6. Applying the concept**

Two containers hold the same volume of liquid, but Container A has a mass of 250 g and Container B has a mass of 180 g.

a) Which container holds the denser liquid? ______________________

b) Explain how you know, using the idea of mass and volume.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

If Container A's liquid is poured into Container B's liquid, would it sink or float? ______________________

## Answer key

1. Solid: 3, Liquid: 1, Gas: 2 ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475))
2. a) particles, b) moving, c) spaces ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475))
3. A) Solid ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475))
4. Accept answers explaining that gas particles are spread far apart with large spaces between them, so those spaces can be pushed closer together, while solid particles are already packed tightly with little room to move closer ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)).
5. Solid: particles drawn close together in a tight, orderly pattern. Liquid: particles drawn close but in a looser, flowing pattern. Gas: particles drawn far apart and scattered ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)).
6. a) Container A. b) Container A has more mass in the same volume, so it is denser. Container A's liquid would sink ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)).

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*AILI homework sheet · language en · model claude-sonnet-5 · generated 2026-09-17 · id 5f0eef0d-f94a-4682-b097-0950d022604e*

### Sources

- node:n1: Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36471)
- node:n2: How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained using the particle model of matter? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472)
- node:n3: Students investigate the particle model of matter in relation to the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473)
- node:n4: Details (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)