States of matter: "Solids Stay, Liquids Loosen, Gases Go"
- Solids Stay — fixed shape, fixed volume, particles stay put.
- Liquids Loosen — fixed volume but particles flow past each other, no fixed shape.
- Gases Go — particles shoot off in all directions, fill any space, compressible.
State symbols: "Some Ladies Go Aqua"
Some (s) — Ladies (l) — Go (g) — Aqua (aq)
Heating curve plateaus
Remember: flat = forces being broken. The plateau is not because nothing is happening — it is because all the energy is busy pulling particles apart (melting) or separating them completely (boiling).
This memory aid covers Memory Aids within States of Matter for GCSE Chemistry. Revise States of Matter in Atomic Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 12 exam-style questions and 10 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 10 of 13 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
Practice questions for States of Matter
Which of the following best describes the arrangement of particles in a solid?
A heating curve shows a flat section (plateau) when a solid is being heated to become a liquid. Explain why the temperature does not rise during this flat section. [3 marks]