6 Matter as particles

6.1
Section exercise 6.1 Matter and particle theory

6.2
Textbook p. 164–177

Level 1
A Fill in the blanks (1 mark each, total 7 marks)

6.3
Fill in the blanks below with the words given.

atoms molecules particles air empty spaces

mass sizes randomly zig-zag paths

6.4
1 Matter is anything which has a and takes up space.

2 In the theory about matter,

6.5
• all matter is made up of tiny b .
• they are moving c all the time.
• there are d between them.

6.6
• they may have different masses and e .

3 Some substances, such as gold, are made up of one kind of f ;

exercise
some substances, such as water, are made up of g .

Unit
B True or false (1 mark each, total 5 marks)

Write ‘T’ for a true statement and ‘F’ for a false statement in the boxes provided. thinking question
High-order
1 Sound and light are non-matter because they do not have mass and do not
take up space.

2 Air particles are too small to be seen under light microscopes.

3 Gas particles move in one direction only.

4 Iron and gold are made up of the same kind of atoms.

5 All molecules consists of two atoms joined together.

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 6 Matter as particles

Level 2
6.1

A Multiple-choice (1 mark each, total 4 marks)

1 Which of the following statements about matter is / are correct?

(1) Matter has mass.
6.2

(2) Matter has volume.

(3) Matter occupies space.
A (1) only B (1) and (2) only
6.3

C (2) and (3) only D (1), (2) and (3)

2 Which of the following is NOT a statement of the particle theory?

A All matter is made up of particles.
6.4

B The particles are moving regularly all the time.

C Different substances are made up of different particles.
D Different particles have different sizes and masses.
6.5

3 When 40 cm3 of water is added to 40 cm3 of alcohol, the total volume is

A 80 cm3.
B more than 80 cm3.
6.6

C less than 80 cm3.

D unable to determine.
exercise

4 A small bottle of brown gas is put inside a large

Unit

container of air. The small bottle of brown gas is air

covered by a cover plate.
cover
Which of the following diagrams correctly shows the plate
thinking question

particles after the plate is removed?

brown
High-order

gas

A B C D

62
 Matter as particles 6

B Structured questions (10 marks)

6.1
1 a Two identical boxes are half filled with squash balls and marbles. The marbles are
poured into the squash balls and are well mixed with the balls.

6.2
squash balls marbles

i Do the balls and marbles fill up to the top of the box after they are mixed?

6.3
(1 mark)

6.4
ii Explain the result in i by filling in the blanks. (4 marks)
There are between the balls and the marbles. When
they are mixed together, the smaller fill the spaces
between the larger and so the total volume is

6.5
than the sum.

b When water and alcohol are mixed together, the volume of the mixture is
smaller than the sum of volumes of the two liquids. Based on your answer in a,

6.6
explain why. (3 marks)

exercise
Unit
thinking question
2 In a school fun day, some students are baking High-order
cookies in an oven in the school hall. After a
while, students can smell the cookies anywhere
in the hall. Explain the phenomenon by using the
particle theory. (2 marks)

Marks (p. 61–63): / 26 63

 6 Matter as particles

Section exercise 6.2 Particle model

Textbook p. 178–185
6.1

Level 1
A Fill in the blanks (1 mark each, total 7 marks)
6.2

Fill in the blanks below with the words given.

arrangements movements arranged regularly vibrates mass

shape containers kinetic theory model particle model
6.3

1 Gases do not have fixed volume and a .

2 The b can simulate the

6.4

c and d
of particles in different states of matter.

3 Particles in a solid are closely packed and

6.5

e .

4 Each particle in a solid f about

a fixed position.
6.6

5 Liquids can take up the shape of their

g because their particles can move around each other.
exercise
Unit

B True or false (1 mark each, total 6 marks)

Write ‘T’ for a true statement and ‘F’ for a false statement in the boxes provided.
thinking question

1 The particle model can explain different properties of solid, liquid and gas.
High-order

2 Liquids have fixed shape but no fixed volume.

3 There are no spaces between the particles of a solid.

4 Particles of liquids can move freely in all directions.

5 Particles of a gas are far apart.

6 A gas can be compressed relatively easily because its particles are far apart.

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 Matter as particles 6

Level 2

6.1
A Multiple-choice (1 mark each, total 4 marks)

1 Liquids have no fixed shapes because

A the spaces between liquid particles are small.

6.2
B the liquid particles can move around.
C the liquid particles are tiny.
D the liquid particles can fill up all the spaces in a closed container.

6.3
2 Which of the following has / have fixed volume but no fixed shape?
(1) Cooking oil (2) Mercury (3) Ice

6.4
6.5
A (1) only

6.6
B (3) only
C (1) and (2) only
D (2) and (3) only

exercise
Unit
3 A student fills a syringe with 25 cm3 of water from a beaker. She puts a cap on the
nozzle of the syringe. Which of the following statements is correct?
A The water changes shape when it moves into the syringe from the beaker.
B She can push the plunger inwards easily when the syringe is capped. thinking question
High-order
C She can pull the plunger outwards easily when the syringe is capped.
D The spaces between the water particles decreases as the plunger is pushed.

4 When a solid is melting, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

A The particles have more energy and bump into each other more often.
B The particles begin to lose their shape.
C The particles stay close to each other.
D The particles start to move around.

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 6 Matter as particles

B Structured questions (16 marks)

6.1

1 Complete the following table about different states of matter. (11 marks)

State Solid Liquid Gas

Closeness of
Close
6.2

particles

Arrangement
In a regular pattern No pattern at all
of particles
6.3

Space between
Small Small
particles

Movement of Each particle

Move around
particles vibrates about
easily
6.4

a fixed position

Shape Fixed shape No fixed shape

Volume Fixed volume

6.5

2D diagram
6.6
exercise
Unit

particles
2 The diagram shows a container with particles.
thinking question

a What is the state of matter shown in the diagram? (1 mark)

High-order

b Describe the properties of this state of matter. (2 marks)

container

c Use the particle model to explain your answers in b. (2 marks)

66 Marks (p. 64–66): / 33

 Matter as particles 6

Section exercise 6.3 Dissolving

Textbook p. 186–193

6.1
Level 1
A Fill in the blanks (1 mark each, total 4 marks)

6.2
Fill in the blanks below with the words given.

is conserved collided distributed is the same as may be different from

6.3
1 When a solute dissolves in a solvent, the solute particles are a

by the solvent particles and finally become evenly b

among the solvent particles.

6.4
2 The total mass of the solute and solvent c in dissolving.

3 The volume of the final solution d

the sum of the volumes of the solute and the solvent.

6.5
B Ordering (1 mark each, total 3 marks)

Arrange the following steps of dissolving in the correct order by writing a to c in the

6.6
spaces below.

a The solute particles move apart and mix with the solvent particles.

b The solute particles are evenly distributed among the solvent particles.

exercise
Unit
c The solute particles are surrounded and collided by the solvent particles.

Correct order: ➔ ➔

thinking question

2
High-order
Level
A Multiple-choice (1 mark each, total 2 marks)

1 Which of the following statements about dissolving of salt in water is INCORRECT?

A The salt particles separate from one another.
B The salt particles sink to the bottom of the container.
C The salt particles are collided by the water particles.
D The total mass of salt and water does not change in dissolving.

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 6 Matter as particles

2 Which of the following statements can be used to explain the decrease in total
volume after some copper(II) sulphate dissolves in water?
6.1

(1) The copper(II) sulphate particles and the water particles are of different sizes.
(2) The copper(II) sulphate particles mix with water particles during dissolving.
(3) The smaller particles fill the spaces between the larger particles.
6.2

A (1) only B (1) and (3) only

C (2) and (3) only D (1), (2) and (3)
6.3

B Structured question (4 marks)

A blue crystal is put in still water. After 15 minutes, the crystal dissolves in the water.
6.4
6.5

blue crystal

Fig 1 to 3 show the process of dissolving. Describe the process by completing the
sentences below. (4 marks)
6.6
exercise
Unit
thinking question

Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3

High-order

a In Fig 1, the crystal particles are

by the water particles.

b In Fig 2, the crystal particles

with the water particles.

c In Fig 3, the crystal particles are among the water

particles. The colour of the solution becomes .

68
 Matter as particles 6

P ractical video assignment

Studying volume change in dissolving

Watch the video and answer the questions.

1 0:27 Three teaspoons of crystals is put into a 100-ml volumetric flask.

Do the crystals occupy any space in the

volumetric flask? (1 mark)

0:27/1:23

2 Some water is slowly added to the volumetric flask until the water reaches the
0:52

mark on the neck.

a What is the total volume of the water and

the crystals? (1 mark)

water level
b What apparatus should be used to add
small amount of water to the volumetric
flask? (1 mark)
0:52/1:23

69
 3 1:00 The flask is shaken.

1:00/1:23

a What is the function of shaking the flask? (1 mark)

b After shaking the flask, why should the solution be remained still for a while before
taking measurement? (1 mark)

4 1:10 The result is shown below.

liquid level

1:10/1:23

a What happens to the liquid level? (1 mark)

b Explain the change in volume after mixing. (2 marks)

70 Marks (p. 67–70): / 21

 Matter as particles 6

Section exercise 6.4 Thermal expansion and contraction

Textbook p. 194–204

6.1
Level 1
A Fill in the blanks (1 mark each, total 5 marks)

6.2
Fill in the blanks below with the words given.

expand contract faster slower bimetallic strip thermometer thermostat

6.3
1 Most substances a when they are cooled and
b when they are heated.

2 When the temperature of a substance increases, its particles move

6.4
c .

3 The d turns an electric iron on or off when it reaches

a certain temperature.

6.5
4 A e bends when it is heated.

B True or false (1 mark each, total 7 marks)

6.6
Write ‘T’ for a true statement and ‘F’ for a false statement in the boxes provided.

1 The speed of particles in a substance depends on its temperature.

exercise
Unit
2 When a substance is heated, its particles become larger.

3 Thermal contraction is a decrease in a material’s volume when its temperature

increases. thinking question
High-order
4 When temperature decreases, the particles move slower and become closer
together.

5 In general, gases expand more than liquids, and liquids expand more
than solids.

6 Liquid-in-glass thermometers and dental filling materials are applications of

thermal expansion and contraction.

7 All thermostats contain bimetallic strips.

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 6 Matter as particles

Level 2
6.1

A Multiple-choice (1 mark each, total 3 marks)

1 In Fig 1, the metal ball can just pass through the ring. When the ball is heated on
a Bunsen flame for a few minutes, it cannot pass through the ring (Fig 2). Which of
6.2

the following statements is correct?

6.3
6.4
6.5

Fig 1 Fig 2

A The particles of metal ball become larger after heating.

B The spaces between the particles of metal ball become larger after heating.
6.6

C The particles of the metal ring become larger after heating.

D The spaces between the particles of metal ring become larger after heating.

2 The liquid in the liquid-in-glass thermometer lowers when it is placed in cold

exercise
Unit

water because
A it loses energy to the water and contracts.
B it gains energy from the water and expands.
thinking question

C it loses energy to the water and expands.

High-order

D it gains energy from the water and contracts.

3 Which of the following is correct when a bimetallic strip is heated?

A One metal strip expands while the other strip contracts.
B The two metal strips expand in different amounts.
C The two metal strips remain straight.
D The number of particles in the two metal strips increases.

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 Matter as particles 6

B Structured questions (15 marks)

6.1
1 Explain thermal expansion and contraction using the particle theory by completing
the sentences. (8 marks)

a When the temperature of a substance increases, its particles

energy and move . This causes the spaces between

6.2
the particles to become . As a result, the substance
.

b When the temperature of a substance decreases, its particles

6.3
energy and move . This causes the spaces between
the particles to become . As a result, the substance
.

6.4
2 The photo shows reels of power cables.

a Describe how the power cable changes when it

becomes cold. (1 mark)

6.5
b Explain your answer in a using the particle theory.

6.6
[Hint: use the result of 1b.] (3 marks)
When the temperature of the power cable decreases,

exercise
Unit
c State what safety precaution should be taken when the power cables are installed thinking question
between overhead power towers. (1 mark) High-order

d State another problem that can be caused by thermal expansion and contraction.
Describe how the problem is solved. (2 marks)

Marks (p. 71–73): / 30 73

 6 Matter as particles

Section exercise 6.5 Gas pressure

Textbook p. 205–216
6.1

Level 1
A Fill in the blanks (1 mark each, total 3 marks)
6.2

Fill in the blanks below with the words given.

atmosphere atmospheric pressure gas pressure bombardment compressed

6.3

1 The a of gas particles on a surface exerts a

b on the surface.

2 is the gas pressure exerted by the gas

6.4

particles in the atmosphere.

B True or false (1 mark each, total 3 marks)

6.5

Write ‘T’ for a true statement and ‘F’ for a false statement in the boxes provided.

1 In a closed container, the gas pressure increases as the temperature increases.

6.6

2 When a closed container is being compressed, the gas particles inside the
container move faster.

3 When the vacuum pump draws air out of the Magdeburg hemispheres, the
exercise
Unit

number of air particles in the hemispheres decreases.

C Labelling (1 mark each, total 4 marks)

thinking question

The apparatus below can demonstrate the power of atmospheric pressure. Label the
High-order

parts of the apparatus.

rubber tubing to

2 4

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 Matter as particles 6

Level 2

6.1
A Multiple-choice (1 mark each, total 3 marks)

1 The figure shows a half-inflated beach ball. Which of the

following actions can increase the air pressure inside the ball?

6.2
(1) Compress the ball
(2) Pump more air into the ball
(3) Put the ball into hot water

6.3
A (1) and (2) only
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only

6.4
D (1), (2) and (3)

2 Four identical containers below contain the same kind of gas. Which of them has the
lowest gas pressure?
20 °C 20 °C 80 °C 80 °C

6.5
A B C D

6.6
exercise
3 Which of the following daily-life applications are related to atmospheric pressure?

Unit
(1) Drinking with a straw
(2) Adding drops of liquid using a dropper
(3) Sticking a rubber sucker on the wall thinking question
A (1) and (2) only High-order
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

75
 6 Matter as particles

B Structured questions (13 marks)

6.1

1 Using the particle theory, explain how the gas pressure changes (a) when the
container is compressed, (b) when the gas temperature increases. (6 marks)

a When the gas in a closed container is compressed, the gas particles bombard the
container walls and thus the gas pressure .
6.2

b When the gas temperature increases, the gas particles move

and bombard the container walls and .
As a result, the gas pressure .
6.3

2 An empty soft drink can is connected to a vacuum pump. air plasticine

can
a What happens to the can when the vacuum pump is
6.4

switched on? (1 mark) rubber tubing

(to vacuum
pump)
6.5

b Explain the result in a using the particle theory. (4 marks)

When air is drawn out of the can,
6.6
exercise

c Draw suitable arrows to represent the pressure inside and outside the can.
Unit

(2 marks)
thinking question
High-order

76 Marks (p. 74–76): / 26

 Matter as particles 6

Section exercise 6.6 Density

Textbook p. 217–232

6.1
Level 1
A Fill in the blanks (1 mark each, total 6 marks)

6.2
Fill in the blanks below with the words given.

kg/m3 m3/kg mass volume overall density

higher lower decreases increases

6.3
1 Density is the a per unit b ,
a
that is, density = .

6.4
b

2 The unit of density is g/cm3 or c .

3 If the density of an object is d than that of a liquid, it

6.5
sinks in the liquid.

4 A ship floats in the sea because its

e is lower than that of

6.6
sea water.

5 The density of a substance f

as its temperature increases.

exercise
Unit
B True or false (1 mark each, total 6 marks)

Write ‘T’ for a true statement and ‘F’ for a false statement in the boxes provided.
thinking question
1 An iron block has a larger mass than an aluminium block of same volume.
High-order

2 If a metal cube is cut in half, the density also changes to half.

3 A piece of 1000-kg wood always sinks in water.

4 The shape of a piece of plasticine affects whether it sinks or floats in water.

5 Water at 80 °C is denser than water at 20 °C.

6 The density of water decreases when it change from liquid to steam.

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 6 Matter as particles

Level 2
6.1

A Multiple-choice (1 mark each, total 3 marks)

1 A student pours liquids Q and S into a beaker and put solid P

solids P, R and T into the liquids. The result is shown in

6.2

the diagram.
liquid Q
Arrange the objects in order of increasing density.
solid R
A P, Q, R, S, T
liquid S
6.3

B T, S, R, Q, P
C S, Q, T, R, P solid T

D T, R, P, S, Q
6.4

2 The density of a copper block is 8.96 g/cm3. Which of the following gives the density
in kg/m3?
8.96
6.5

A × (100)3 B (8.96 × 1000) × (100)3

1000
8.96
1000 (8.96 × 1000)
C D
(100)3 (100)3
6.6

3 A cold-water jar is placed directly on top of a hot-water jar

separated with a plastic sheet. Which of the following statements cold
water
exercise

is correct when the plastic sheet is removed?

Unit

A The hot water is less dense and will float on the cold water.
B The cold water is less dense and keeps floating on the hot water. hot
water
C The hot and cold water mix together.
thinking question

D The result cannot be predicted since water particles

High-order

move randomly.

B Structured questions (15 marks)

1 As the air temperature increases, the density of air decreases. Explain why using the
particle theory. (2 marks)

Upon heating,

78
 Matter as particles 6

2 An irregular solid is put into a tank of water (Fig 1). Some water is displaced into a
measuring cylinder (Fig 2), which shows the volume of the solid (in the unit of cm3).

6.1
40

6.2
irregular 30
solid

measuring
cylinder
20
Fig 1 Fig 2

6.3
a What is the reading of the measuring cylinder? (1 mark)

b If the mass of the irregular solid is 40.8 g, find the density of the solid. (2 marks)

6.4
c The irregular solid is put into a cup of honey with density of 1.42 g/cm3. Will it
float or sink in the honey? Explain briefly. (2 marks)

6.5
3 A student carries out an experiment at home using common substances found in
kitchen: water, maple syrup, honey and vegetable oil.

6.6
Substance Water Maple syrup Honey Vegetable oil

Mass (g) 20 13.3 18.4

exercise
Unit
Volume (cm3) 20 10 10

Density ( ) 1.00 1.40 0.92

thinking question
a Complete the above table. (4 marks) High-order
b If the four substances are poured slowly into
a beaker, what will be their positions? Draw
a labelled diagram in the space provided.
(4 marks)

Marks (p. 77–79): / 30 79

 6 Matter as particles

Unit exercise
6.1

A True or false (1 mark each, total 12 marks)

Write ‘T’ for a true statement and ‘F’ for a false statement in the boxes provided.
6.2

1 In the particle theory, different types of particles have different sizes and
masses.

2 We can smell the baking bread from a bakery because particles of aroma move
in one direction towards our nose.
6.3

3 The atoms in a large piece of gold are bigger than the atoms in a small piece
of gold.
6.4

4 The particles are closely packed in solid state and liquid state.

5 Each particle in a liquid vibrates about a fixed position.

6 In the dissolving of copper(II) sulphate in water, both the total mass and total
6.5

volume of the solvent and solute are conserved.

7 The liquid-in-glass thermometer is an application of thermal expansion and

contraction.
6.6

8 We do not notice the atmospheric pressure because the pressure inside our
body balances the atmospheric pressure outside.

9 When a substance changes from liquid state to gas state, its density increases.
exercise
Unit

10 Two objects with different masses and volumes may have the same density.

11 The shape of an object does not affect whether it sinks or floats in water.
thinking question

12 When a sky lantern is rising, its overall density is smaller than that of the
High-order

surrounding air.

B Multiple-choice (1 mark each, total 12 marks)

1 Which of the following statements about the particle theory of matter is correct?
A All matter is made up of tiny particles.
B All particles in a gold ring are the same.
C The particles are always moving.
D All of the above.

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 Matter as particles 6

2 Which of the following statements about the particle model is correct?

A There are no spaces between the particles in solids.

6.1
B A solid stays in one place because its particles are at rest.
C The solid particles are too small to see with the eye.
D The particles in a liquid have more kinetic energy than the particles in a gas.

6.2
3 When a crystal of copper(II) sulphate is placed at the bottom of the water in a
beaker, the water in the whole beaker turns blue even without stirring. Which of
the following statement about this is / are correct?

6.3
(1) The copper(II) sulphate particles spread out evenly in water.
(2) The number of copper(II) sulphate particles is the same before and after
the dissolving.

6.4
(3) If warmer water is used, the time taken for the whole beaker to turn blue
is reduced.
A (1) only
B (1) and (2) only

6.5
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

4 Which of the following statements about thermal expansion is INCORRECT?

6.6
A The particles expand when temperature increases.
B The spaces between particles become larger when temperature increases.

exercise
C The particles gain energy and move faster when temperature increases.

Unit
D Gases in general expand more than solids when temperature increases.

5 A gas is heated in a closed container. Which of the following of the gas will increase?
(1) Speed of the gas molecules thinking question
High-order
(2) Pressure of the gas
(3) Density of the gas
A (1) only
B (1) and (2) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

81
 6 Matter as particles

6 Which of the following does NOT make use of thermal expansion and contraction?
A Expansion gaps on roads
6.1

B Large bends in oil pipes

C Vacuum cleaners
D Dental filling materials
6.2

7 In the figure, a balloon is filled with a little bit of air and tied off. Then the balloon is
put inside a syringe and the tip of the syringe is closed by a cap.

syringe
6.3
6.4

cap balloon plunger

If the plunger is pulled back, what happens to the balloon inside the syringe?
A Nothing happens to the balloon.
6.5

B The balloon becomes smaller.

C The balloon becomes bigger.
D The number of air particles inside the balloon increases.
6.6

8 Which of the following are due to atmospheric pressure?

(1) Milk does not flow (2) The cover of a bowl of (3) A vacuum storage
out of the can if there miso soup is difficult bag can save space
exercise
Unit

is only one hole on to open when the soup by drawing air out of
the can. becomes cool. the clothes.
thinking question
High-order

hole

A (1) and (2) only

B (1) and (3) only

C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

82
 Matter as particles 6

9 When a gas in a syringe is compressed, how will its density and pressure change?
Density Pressure

6.1
A Increases Increases
B Increases Decreases
C Decreases Increases

6.2
D Decreases Decreases

Directions: Questions 10 and 11 refer to the table below.

6.3
Substance P Q R S

Mass (g) 21 42 30 48

Volume (cm3) 5 22 13 60

6.4
10 Which of the four substances has the highest density?
A Substance P B Substance Q

6.5
C Substance R D Substance S

11 The density of water is 1.0 g/cm3. Which of the four substances will float in water?
A Substance S only

6.6
B Substances P and R only
C Substances Q and R only
D Substances P, Q and R only

exercise
Unit
12 There are four liquids W, X, Y and Z. When different pairs of liquids are poured into
a beaker together, the results are shown below.

thinking question
High-order
W X Z
X Y Y

If the four liquids are arranged in order of increasing density, which of the following
is possible?
A W<X<Y<Z B W<Z<X<Y
C Y<X<Z<W D X<Z<W<Y

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 6 Matter as particles

C Structured questions (36 marks)

6.1

Skill Constructing explanations

1 A substance has fixed volume but not fixed shape.

a State the state of this substance: (1 mark)

6.2

b Describe the arrangement of the particles in this substance. (2 marks)

6.3

c Use the particle theory to explain why this substance has no fixed shape. (1 mark)
6.4

Skill Conducting practical

2 The figure shows an experiment about expansion straw

6.5

of air. hot water

air water
A plastic bottle with some water is put in a
plastic bottle
refrigerator for some time before the experiment.
6.6

The plastic bottle is taken out of the refrigerator water

and stoppered with a straw. It is placed in

a basin, then a student pours hot water on the
exercise

bottle. The water inside the bottle gets expelled

Unit

through the straw.

a Why is the bottle put in refrigerator before the experiment? (2 marks)

thinking question
High-order

b Explain the result by filling in the blanks. (4 marks)

When the student pours hot water on the bottle, the air temperature inside
the bottle . The air pressure inside the bottle
and becomes than the
atmospheric pressure. The greater air pressure
.

84
 Matter as particles 6

c State TWO precautions when doing this experiment. (2 marks)

6.1
Skill Daily application

6.2
3 Fire sprinklers use the expansion of alcohol to control
when the water is sprayed.

a Use the particle theory to explain the expansion of

6.3
alcohol when temperature increases. (2 marks)

6.4
6.5
b Describe how the fire sprinkler works to put out a fire. (3 marks)

6.6
Skill Daily application

exercise
Unit
4 The power lifting bag is a useful equipment of rescue operation in Fire Services
Department. By pumping air into the lifting bag, it can lift up heavy objects.
power lifting bag
thinking question
High-order
compressed
air cylinder

heavy stone
pipes

power lifting bag from air pump

dual safety controller

85
 6 Matter as particles

a As air is pumped into the lifting bag, explain how the air pressure inside the
lifting bag changes using the particle theory. (3 marks)
6.1

As air is pumped into the lifting bag, the number of air particles
6.2

b When a heavy object is being lifted by the bag, compare the pressure inside and
outside of the lifting bag. (1 mark)
6.3

c The bag would not work if there is any leakage in the bag. Suggest a simple
method to locate any leaking point in the lifting bag. (2 marks)
6.4

Skill Handling apparatus

6.5

5 In an experiment, 5 g of table salt is added into a beaker containing 50 g of water to

produce solution X.
6.6

+
exercise
Unit

salt water X
5g 50 g

a Describe how we can measure 50 g of water as accurately as we can by using

an electronic balance, a dropper and a beaker. (3 marks)
thinking question
High-order

b Describe what can be observed when the salt dissolves in water. (1 mark)

86
 Matter as particles 6

c The salt completely dissolves. Describe the process of dissolving of the salt using
the particle theory. (3 marks)

6.1
6.2
d The readings of the electronic balance for the empty beaker and the beaker with X
are shown below.

6.3
empty beaker
beaker with X

6.4
26 g 81 g

i Find the mass of X. (1 mark)

6.5
ii What is the relationship between the mass of the salt, water and X? What can
you deduce from this result? (2 marks)

6.6
exercise
Unit
e In Unit 2, we learned that dissolving is faster if the water temperature is higher.
Explain this using the particle theory. (3 marks)
Water particles move when the temperature is
higher. They collide the salt particles . thinking question
High-order
As a result, the salt particles

and the salt dissolves faster.

X
+
r
wate
50 g
salt
5g

Marks (p. 80–87): / 60 87

 High-order thinking question (9 marks) OPTIONAL
6.1

A small ball, 10 cm3 of liquid A and 15 cm3 of liquid B is put in a boiling tube. The
boiling tube is shaken strongly to mix the content. Just after shaking, the ball floats on
the mixture of liquids (Fig 1). After 10 minutes, the liquids separate into two layers
6.2

(Fig 2).

t=0 t = 10 minutes
6.3

ball liquid B

ball
mixture of
6.4

liquids A and B
liquid A

Fig 1 Fig 2
6.5

a According to Fig 1, which substance has lower density? Explain briefly. (2 marks)
6.6

b Given the densities of liquids A and B are 1.0 g/cm3 and 0.75 g/cm3. Find the density
of the mixture. (3 marks)
exercise
Unit
thinking question

c According to Fig 2, arrange liquid A, liquid B and the ball in ascending order of
High-order

density. (1 mark)

d Based on the results, state the range of density of the ball. (2 marks)

e In order to do the above experiment, what is the main characteristic of the

two liquids? (1 mark)

88 Marks (p. 88): /9