Three Principle Phases, Revisited
In Chapter 2, Lesson B, we discussed the difference between the three principle phases: gas, liquid, and solid. Just to refresh your memory, move the mouse pointer over the sketch of each phase to see a description of that phase.
We also learned that, in all the phases, molecules move randomly with three different types of motion: vibration, rotation and translation.
The internal energy of the system is defined as the sum of the kinetic energies in the vibrational, rotational and translational motion of molecules.
Molecules move randomly with three different types of motion: vibration, rotation and translation. Molecules are separated by large distances and travel a long way between collisions.
Molecules move randomly with all three types of motion, but they are much closer together and cannot travel very far between collisions.
Atoms or molecules have all three types of motion, but they are very close together. As a result, they cannot travel far at all before they collide. Each molecule moves about within a small space and does not tend to wander.
Gas Phase
Liquid Phase
Solid Phase
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