Expansion and Contraction in Solids, Liquids and Gases – Lesson Summary

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Learning Objective

In this lesson we will learn how temperature changes affect the volume of solids, liquids and gases.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Describe the relationship between heat energy, movement of particles and the volume of a substance.
  • Use the particle model to explain expansion and contraction of solids, liquids and gases.
  • Compare expansion and contraction in solids, liquids and gases.
  • Describe some practical and safety considerations associated with the expansion and contraction of matter.

 
expansion and contraction in solids liquids and gases lesson contents

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Lesson Topics

1 | Expansion and Contraction

2 | Expansion and Contraction in Solids

3 | Expansion and Contraction in Liquids

4 | Expansion and Contraction in Gases

5 | Summary

Lesson Summary

  • When a substance absorbs or loses heat energy, the movement of its particles is affected, which causes its volume to change.
  • Solids, liquids and gases all expand when heated, due to the increased movement of their particles.
  • Solids, liquids and gases all contract when cooled, due to the decreased movement of their particles.
  • Temperature changes affect the volume of gases the most and the volume of solids the least.
  • There are many practical and safety considerations associated with the expansion and contraction of matter due to temperature changes.

 
hot air balloon air expansion

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(Header image: PellissierJP, Pixabay)