Habib Public School

AKU Section

7. Properties of Matter
7.1 Kinetic Molecular Model of Matter
7.1.1 Explain kinetic molecular model of matter (solid, liquid and gas forms);

The kinetic molecular theory of matter states that:

 Matter is made up of particles that are constantly moving.

 All particles have energy, but the energy varies depending on the temperature the sample of
matter is in. This in turn determines whether the substance exists in the solid, liquid, or gaseous
state. Molecules in the solid phase have the least amount of energy, while gas particles have the
greatest amount of energy.
 The temperature of a substance is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles.
 A change in phase may occur when the energy of the particles is changed.
 There are spaces between particles of matter. The average amount of empty space between
molecules gets progressively larger as a sample of matter moves from the solid to the liquid and
gas phases.
 There are attractive forces between atoms/molecules, and these become stronger as the
particles move closer together. These attractive forces are called intermolecular forces.

Solid - Molecules are held the ordered arrangement of

close to each other by their a solid.
Liquid - Molecules will flow
attractions of charge. They
will bend and/or vibrate, but or glide over one another, Gas - Molecules are in
will stay in close proximity. but stay toward the bottom continual straight-line
The molecules have an of the container. Motion is a motion. The kinetic energy of
ordered arrangement. bit more random than that of the molecule is greater than
a solid. They have enough the attractive force between
kinetic energy to slip out of them, thus they are much

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 Habib Public School
AKU Section

farther apart and move freely of each other.

7.1.2 Describe plasma as the fourth state of matter;

Plasma is called the fourth state of matter in which a gas occurs in its ionic state. Positive ions and
electrons get separated in the presence of electric or magnetic fields. Plasma also exists in neon and
fluorescent tubes when they glow. Most of the matter that fills the universe is in plasma state.

7.2 Density
7.2.1 define the term ‘density’;
Density of a substance is defined as its mass per unit volume.
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
Density = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝑚
𝜌=
𝑉

SI unit of density is kilogram per cubic meter (kgm-3).

7.2.2 Compare the densities of three states of matter (solids, liquids and gases
forms);

Comparing Densities of Solids, Liquids and Gases

 Solids generally have high or very high densities. It is because The particles in a solid are tightly
packed.

 Liquids generally have high densities. This is because their particles are close together, even though
they are not locked into fixed positions.

 Gases generally have very low densities. Gases are not very dense at all because of the large spaces
between the gas particles.

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 Habib Public School
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7.3 Pressure
7.3.1 Define the term pressure as force acting normally on unit area;
The force acting normally per unit area on the surface of a body is called pressure.
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
Pressure = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝐹
P=
𝐴

Pressure is a scalar quantity. In SI units, the unit of pressure is Nm -2 also called Pascal (Pa).

7.3.2 Explain that pressure varies with force and area with the help of everyday
examples;
Variation of Pressure with Area:
Increasing the area over which a particular force acts decreases the pressure produced. The
converse is also true decreasing the area over which a particular force acts increases the
pressure produced. For example, the pointed end of a high-heeled shoe exerts a greater
pressure than the flat end, as the force is acting over a smaller area at the pointed end.

7.4 Atmospheric Pressure

7.4.1 Explain atmospheric pressure;
The pressure exerted by the earth's atmosphere at any given point, being the product of the mass of the
atmospheric column of the unit area above the given point and of the gravitational acceleration at the
given point.

a value of standard or normal atmospheric pressure, equivalent to the pressure exerted by a column of
mercury 29.92 inches (760 millimeters) high, or 1013 mill bars (101.3 kilopascals).

7.4.2 Describe the use of the height of a liquid column to measure the
atmospheric pressure;

A height of a liquid column will get increased or decreased according to the force of the atmospheric
𝐹
pressure. As P=
𝐴

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 Habib Public School
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Pressure (P) is inversely proportional to Area (A). So if the area of the column is lesser then Force (F) of
the atmospheric pressure is greater. But when the Force is 0, the pressure is 0.

The atmospheric pressure decides how high or low the liquid is according to the area and force.

7.4.3 Describe that atmospheric pressure decreases with the increase in height
above the earth’s surface;

Pressure decreases with increasing altitude because, at higher elevations, there are
fewer air molecules above a given surface than a similar surface at lower levels. Since
most of the atmosphere's molecules are held close to the earth's surface by the force of
gravity, air pressure decreases rapidly at first, then more slowly at higher levels.

7.4.4 Explain that changes in atmospheric pressure in a region may indicate a

change in the weather;
Atmospheric pressure is an indicator of weather. When a low-pressure system moves into an area, it
usually leads to cloudiness, wind, and precipitation. High-pressure systems usually lead to fair,
calm weather.

7.5 Pressure in Liquids

7.5.1 State Pascal’s law;
Pressure, applied at any point of a liquid enclosed in a container, is transmitted
without loss to all other parts of the liquid.

Demonstrating Pascal's law

7.5.2 Explain the relation for pressure beneath a liquid surface to depth and to
density, i.e. P=ρgh;

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 Habib Public School
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Pressure within a liquid depends only on the density of the liquid, the acceleration due to
gravity, and the depth within the liquid. The pressure exerted by such a static liquid increases
linearly with increasing depth.

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
Pressure = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝐹
P=
𝐴

F = W = mg

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑚)

Density (𝜌) = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑣)

m=𝜌v

F =W =𝜌vg

v=Axh

F = W =𝜌xA xhx g
𝜌xAx hxg
P=
𝐴

P=𝜌gh

7.5.3 Apply and demonstrate the use of Pascal’s law;

https://studiousguy.com/pascals-law-applications-examples/

HYDRAULIC PRESS:

Hydraulic press is a machine which works on Pascal's law. It consists of two cylinders of different cross-
sectional areas. They are fitted with pistons of cross-sectional areas a and A. The object to be
compressed is placed over the piston of large cross-sectional area A. The force F1 is applied on the piston
of small cross-sectional area a. The pressure P produced by small piston is transmitted equally to the
large piston and a force F2 acts on A which is much larger than F1

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 Habib Public School
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𝐹1
Pressure on small piston P=
𝑎

𝐹2
Pressure on large piston P=
𝐴

Comparing the above equations, we get

𝐹2 𝐹1
=
𝐴 𝑎

𝐴
F2 = 𝐹1x
𝑎

𝐴
Since the ratio is greater than 1, hence the force F2 that acts on the larger piston is greater than the
𝑎
force F1 acting on the smaller piston.

7.5.4 Solve word problems on the concept of pressure beneath a liquid to depth
and to density;

Divers have to be careful when working at depth in water and need to carefully control the
dissolving of gases in their blood stream. Calculate the pressure created by a 30 m depth of
water given the density of water is 1000kg/m3 and gravity 9.8 N/kg.

Solution

Height = h = 30m

Density = 𝜌 = 1000kg/m3

g = 9.8 N/kg

P=𝜌gh

P = 30 x 1000 x 9.8 = 294 000 Pa (2.94 x 105 Pa, 294 kPa.)

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 Habib Public School
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At what depth in water is the increased pressure five times greater than
atmospheric pressure (101 kPa)? (Do it yourself).

7.5.5 Explain Archimedes principle;

ARCHIMEDES PRINCIPLE:

When an object is totally or partially immersed in a liquid, an up thrust acts on it equal to the weight of
the liquid it displaces.

ℎ2 − ℎ1 = ℎ
If P1 and P2 are the liquid pressures at depths h1 and h2 respectively, and 𝜌 is its density, then according
to equation

P1 = 𝜌 g h1

P2 = 𝜌 g h2
𝐹
As P= F = PA
𝐴

F1 = 𝜌 g h1A

F2 = 𝜌 g h2 A
F1 and F2 are acting on the opposite faces of the cylinder.
Therefore, the net force F will be F2 – F1 in the direction of F2. This
net force F on the cylinder is called the up thrust of the liquid.

F2 – F1 = 𝜌 g h2 A – 𝜌 g h1A

= 𝜌 gA (h2 – h1)

Or Up thrust of liquid = 𝜌 gAh

Or =𝜌gV

7.5.6 Determine the density of an irregular object using Archimedes principle;

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 Habib Public School
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https://youtu.be/lh4W-cXcsBQ

1- Suspend the irregular body (Rock) in balance by string and measure the mass of the object.

2- But the known fluid density (Water is a convenient liquid to use because its 3density equals
998 kg/m3) in the graduated cylinder and read the volume.

3- Immersed object in the graduated cylinder. Notice fluid with rise record the volume.

4- Calculate density of body by using the equation

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑚)
Density (𝜌) = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑣)

OR

To find the density by an equation we use the following equation:

𝒘𝟏
×𝝆
𝒘𝟏 − 𝒘𝟐

EXAMPLE:

The weight of a metal spoon in air is 0.48 N. its weight in water is 0.42 N. Find its density.

Data:

W1 = 0.48 N

W2 = 0.42 N

Density of Water 𝜌 = 1000 kgm-3

SOLUTION:

𝒘𝟏
=𝒘 ×𝝆
𝟏 −𝒘𝟐

𝟎.𝟒𝟖
= 𝟎.𝟒𝟖−𝟎.𝟒𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎

= 8000 kgm-3

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7.6 Up thrust
7.6.1 Explain the significance of up thrust exerted by a liquid on a body;

 If FB > W or FB = W, the body will float.

 If FB < W, the body will sink.
If the up thrust is larger than the weight of the object, the object will rise. This happens when
you jump into a swimming pool and then rise back up to the surface. Under the surface,
the weight of water you displace - the up thrust - is more than your weight, so there is a
resultant upwards force.

7.7 Principle of Floatation

7.7.1 State the principle of floatation in terms of up thrust;
A floating object displaces a fluid having weight equal to the weight of the object.

OR

If FB > W or FB = W, the body will float.

7.8 Elasticity
7.8.1 Define elasticity;
The property of a body to restore its original size and shape as the deforming
force ceases to act is called elasticity.

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 Habib Public School
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7.8.2 Explain that a force may produce change in size and shape of a body;
When a force acts on an object, the object may change its shape and size by bending,
stretching or compressing

Bend an object's ends past each other, e.g. when an Olympic diver stands on the end of a
diving board.

Pull an object's ends apart, e.g. when a rubber band

is stretched.

Push an object's ends together, e.g. when empty drinks

can is squashed.

7.9 Stress, Strain and Young’s Modulus

7.9.1 Define the terms stress, strain and Young’s modulus;
STRESS: The force acting on unit area at the surface of a body is called stress.
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
STRESS =
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

SI units, the unit of STRESS is Nm-2

STRAIN: When stress acts on a body, it may change its length, volume, or shape. A ratio of such a
change caused by the stress with the original length, volume or shape is called as strain. If stress
produces a change in the length of an object then the strain is called tensile strain.

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𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
Tensile strain = 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ

Strain has no units as it is simply a ratio between two similar quantities.

YOUNG'S MODULUS: The ratio of stress to tensile strain is called Young's modulus.
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠
Young's modulus =
𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛

SI unit of Young's modulus is Newton per meter square Nm-2

7.9.2 State Hooke’s law;

The strain produced in a body by the stress applied to it is directly proportional to the stress within the
elastic limit of the body.

7.9.3 Explain elastic limit using Hooke’s law.

The limit of proportionality is the point beyond which Hooke's law is no longer true when
stretching a material. The elastic limit is the point beyond which the material you are stretching
becomes permanently stretched so that the material does not return to its original length when
the force is removed.

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