Heat an ice cube. Its temperature rises steadily toward 0°C. Then something strange happens — you keep adding heat, but the temperature STUBBORNLY STAYS at 0°C until ALL the ice has melted. Why? Because the energy isn't making particles move faster (which would raise temperature). Instead, it's being used to break the bonds holding particles in fixed positions. Only when all bonds are broken does the temperature start rising again. Same thing happens at 100°C when water boils!
This introduction covers The Temperature That Refuses to Rise 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 1 of 13 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
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.
Quick recall flashcards
Particles in gas?
Random, far apart, fast in all directions
Particles in solid?
Regular pattern, vibrate in fixed positions