Expansion and states of matter – basics and principles
How it works
Substances can occur in the three states of matter important for introductory lessons: solid, liquid and gaseous. When heated, most substances expand because their particles move faster and take up more space on average. When cooled, substances usually contract. The change between states of matter can occur through heating or cooling, for example during melting, evaporation, solidification and condensation. At the same pressure, pure substances have characteristic melting and boiling temperatures. Expansion is usually greater in gases than in liquids and solids.
Most substances expand when heated and contract when cooled. Heating or cooling can change states of matter; these changes are basically reversible.
An example
What happens to a metal rod when it is strongly heated?
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Physics. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.