Characteristics of Liquids
Liquids (like water, milk, oil) have a definite volume but no fixed shape. They take the shape of the container they are in.
Particle Arrangement
- Packing: Particles are close together but not as rigid as solids.
- Forces: Attraction is weaker than solids.
- Movement: Particles can move and slide past each other. This is why liquids can flow (they are fluids).
Boiling vs. Evaporation
- Evaporation: A slow process where particles at the surface escape into vapour at any temperature.
- Boiling: A fast process where the liquid turns to vapour rapidly at a specific temperature called the Boiling Point. Bubbles form throughout the liquid.
Tip
Activity: If you put a drop of Potassium Permanganate () in hot water, it spreads faster than in cold water. This proves that particles move faster when thermal (heat) energy increases.