Chapter 18, Problem 22A

Your friend says that the primary difference between a Solid and a liquid is the kind of atoms in the material. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

To determine

To Explain:The correct difference between the liquid phase and solid phase.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Matter consists of tiny atoms in which electrons revolve around the nucleus. Due to quantitative difference, material may be either solid, liquid, gas or in plasma state. Recently scientist discovered the fifth state of matter which is Bose-Einstein Condensate.

Difference between these states depends on their physical properties. In case of solid, its particles are placed in a manner to maintain a fixed volume and shape. In case of liquid, force between its atoms or molecule is less as compared to solid. Liquid has no definite shape; it takes the shape of container in which it is placed. Similarly, in case of gases, weak force between atoms or molecules is observed. Gases has no definite shape and size. In some cases, atoms of the same material havedifferent states depending on the physical condition. The difference between solid and liquid in not the kind of atoms in the material, but the physical condition makes them different. For example, water $\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\right)$ can be found in liquid, gases (vapor) and solid (ice) form. So, liquid water, water vapor, and ice all contains $\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\right)$ molecule which consist of atoms of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O). The difference is only between their physical appearance and force between their molecules.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the difference between the liquid and solid phase is not the kind of atoms in the material, but the physical appearance and force of attraction between their molecules.