K326 / K327 / 2027

Chapter 7

Kinetic particle model of matter

A particle model connects observations with an explanation.

Learn to explain a material's properties and temperature in terms of its particles.

Includes states of matter, temperature, internal energy and changes of state. For K326 / K327 (2027) / 5086 / 5087 (2026).

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  1. States of matter

    Explain shape, volume, flow and compressibility using the particle model.

  2. Temperature and internal energy

    Distinguish temperature from the total kinetic and potential contributions to internal energy.

  3. Changes of state

    Explain melting, solidification, boiling and condensation while temperature remains constant.

Syllabus coverage

This chapter covers Kinetic particle model of matter, topic 7(a-e), in the K326 / K327 syllabus (2027) and 5086 / 5087 (2026).

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7(a)
Compare physical properties of solids, liquids and gases. States of matter
7(b)
Explain the properties of all three states using particle arrangement, motion, forces and distances. States of matter
7(c)
Relate a temperature increase to greater average particle kinetic energy. Temperature and internal energy
7(d)
Describe internal energy as the total kinetic energy of random particle motion and total potential energy between particles. Temperature and internal energy
7(e)
Describe melting, solidification, boiling and condensation as energy transfers without a temperature change. Changes of state