MSTEP Science Practice Test

How do particle speeds differ among solid, liquid, and gas?

Solids have fast particle movement; liquids have moderate; gases have slow. Solids have tightly packed particles with little movement; liquids have more movement and flow; gases have fast, random movement with lots of space between particles. All states have the same particle movement regardless of state. Solids have the least movement; liquids have similar movement; gases have no movement.

Correct Answer:

Solids have tightly packed particles with little movement; liquids have more movement and flow; gases have fast, random movement with lots of space between particles.

Explanation:

Particles move more freely as you go from solid to liquid to gas, because how closely they are packed and how much energy they have changes. In a solid, the particles are tightly packed and mostly stay in place, only vibrating a little, so their speeds are the smallest. In a liquid, they’re less tightly held and can slide past each other, so they move more and can flow, giving higher speeds than in a solid. In a gas, particles are far apart and move rapidly in random directions, colliding often, which gives the highest speeds. The increasing space between particles from solid to liquid to gas matches the greater freedom of movement at higher speeds. Temperature also raises speeds across all states, especially in gases.

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