Question

Which of the following properties is different for solids, liquids and gases?
(A) Movement of molecules
(B) Particle size of the substance
(C) Mass of the substance
(D) Energy exchanges between atoms

Answer 1

Different elements in any of the three states have varying properties.
It depends upon the atomic size, several electrons, valency, and nature of the elements, reactivity, and many other properties.But the movement of molecules is mainly dependent upon the state of the element in which it exists i.e. solid, liquid or gaseous

Complete step by step answer:
Let’s consider every factor and understand it in detail.

1.Movement of molecules
As we all know, solids do not move from place to place with heavy vibration. The solid molecules are tightly bound to each other as they are packed close to each other.While liquid molecules are loosely packed as compared to solid molecules. Hence they have more vibration and slide.And the gaseous molecules are the most random. They move freely with high velocity.

2.The particle size of the substanceThough the states differ for the particles, the size remains the same. It doesn’t depend upon the state of the matter.

3.Mass of the substance
The atomic mass of all the atoms and molecules of the same element is constant.It is not affected by the state.

3.Energy exchange between atoms
The energy excited by the electron in the lower orbital state is absorbed by the electron in the higher orbital state. So no matter in which state the molecules are present, this factor will not be affected.

So, the factor that would be affected by the existence of molecules in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state is the movement of the particles.

So, the correct answer is Option A .

Note: Solids do have vibration but it is in a fixed position and negligible compared to liquids and gases.They have a definite shape, volume as well as mass. Hence are incompressible. Liquids acquire the shape and volume of the container and they are slightly compressible. Gases also neither have definite volume or shape and are immensely random. The distance between the particles is huge which makes them compressible.