Properties of Liquid and Solid ✏ Chemistry In a Nutshell

Rucete ✏ Chemistry In a Nutshell

1. Comparison of Liquids and Solids

Property	Liquids	Solids
Volume	Fixed	Fixed
Shape	Takes shape of the container	Definite shape
Density	Higher than gases	Usually denser than liquids (except water)
Compressibility	Slightly compressible	Almost incompressible
Molecular Movement	Particles move freely	Particles vibrate in fixed positions

2. Properties of Liquids

1. Surface Tension

   • Due to cohesive forces at the liquid’s surface.
   • Causes liquids to act as if covered by a stretched elastic film.

2. Cohesion (Intermolecular Attraction Between Like Molecules)

   • Responsible for surface tension.
   • Example: Water molecules attract each other through hydrogen bonding.

3. Adhesion (Attraction Between Unlike Molecules)

   • Example: Water sticking to glass, leading to capillary action.

4. Viscosity (Resistance to Flow)

• Higher viscosity = Stronger intermolecular forces.
• Example: Honey has high viscosity due to strong hydrogen bonds.

3. Types of Solids

1. Amorphous Solids (No regular structure)

   • Example: Glass, rubber, plastics.

2. Crystalline Solids (Regular repeating structure)

   • Example: Iron, table salt (NaCl), diamond.

3. Intermolecular Forces in Solids

• Very strong forces hold particles together, making solids rigid.

4. Properties of Water (Due to Hydrogen Bonding)

1. Excellent Solvent

   • Dissolves ionic compounds and polar molecules.

2. High Specific Heat

   • Absorbs a lot of heat before changing temperature.
   • Due to strong hydrogen bonds.

3. Liquid Water is Denser than Ice

   • Ice has an open, three-dimensional structure due to hydrogen bonding, creating empty spaces.
   • As ice melts, these spaces fill, increasing density.

4. Density Changes with Temperature

• At 0°C → Ice forms with a lower density.
• Between 0°C and 4°C → Ice melts, spaces get filled, and density increases.
• Above 4°C → Expansion due to heat lowers density.

In a nutshell

"Liquids Flow, Solids Stay, Water is Weird!"

• Liquids take shape, solids don’t change.
• Water is denser as a liquid than as ice!