The Solid State

Characteristics of Solids

Solids (like iron, wood, stone) have a definite shape and definite volume.

Particle Arrangement

1. Packing: Particles are tightly packed.
2. Forces: Interparticle attraction is very strong.
3. Movement: Particles cannot move past each other. They can only vibrate or oscillate about their fixed positions.
4. Compressibility: Negligible. You cannot easily squish a rock.

Melting Point

When solids are heated, particles vibrate more vigorously. At a specific temperature called the Melting Point, the vibrations become strong enough to overcome the attractive forces, and the solid turns into a liquid.