The six state changes — remember "MBSCE-D":
- Melting (solid → liquid, energy IN)
- Boiling/evaporation (liquid → gas, energy IN)
- Sublimation (solid → gas, energy IN)
- Condensation (gas → liquid, energy OUT)
- E... wait — reverse: Freezing (liquid → solid, energy OUT)
- Deposition (gas → solid, energy OUT)
Energy rule: Going UP the states (solid → liquid → gas) = energy IN (breaking bonds). Going DOWN (gas → liquid → solid) = energy OUT (forming bonds).
Temperature during state change: Think of a traffic jam — cars (energy) keep arriving but the queue (temperature) doesn't move until the bottleneck (bond-breaking) clears.
This memory aid covers Memory Aid within States of Matter for GCSE Physics. Revise States of Matter in Particle Model for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 30 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. 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
In which state of matter are particles arranged in a regular pattern and only vibrate about fixed positions?
Explain what happens to the particles in a solid when it is heated until it melts. Include what happens to the temperature during melting.