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However, the molecules can move past

Kinetic Molecular Model of
Liquids and Solids
Phase
A homogeneous part of a system in contact with other
parts of the system, but separated from t h e s e
other parts by well-defined boundaries.
Condensed phases
Liquids and solids
Intramolecular forces and intermolecular forces
Intermolecular forces are attractive forces between
molecules.
Intramolecular forces hold atoms together in a
molecule.
Kinetic Molecular Theory
1. All matter is made of tiny particles.
2. These particles are in constant motion.
3. The speed of particles is proportional to temperature.
Increased temperature means greater speed.
4. Solids, liquids, and gases differ in distances between
particles, in the freedom of motion of particles,
and in the extent to which the particles interact.
one another freely. Liquids can flow, can
be poured and assumes the shape of its
container.
• In a solid, molecules are held tightly in
position with virtually no freedom of
motion. There is even less empty space
in a solid than in a liquid.
• Solids are almost incompressible and
possess definite shape and volume.
Practice 2
1. Compare the properties of gases, liquids, and solids in
terms of distances and arrangement of their
molecules.
a. Compare the distances among molecules in the gas,
liquid and solid and rank the phases in increasing
distance between particles.
b. Describe the characteristic movement of the particles
of gas, liquid and solid.
c. How are the molecules of gas, liquid and solid
arranged?
d. Arrange the three phases of matter in order of
increasing volume of empty space between its
molecules.
e. Identify the property of matter that corresponds to the
molecular behavior.

Practice 1
1. draw the Lewis structures of the following molecules
with the correct shape around the central atom;
2. indicate each bond’s polarity by drawing an arrow to
represent the bond dipole along each bond;
3. determine the molecule’s polarity and indicate this
with an arrow to represent the dipole;
4. circle their choice in each box to mark the molecule
as polar or nonpolar

Cl2 polar or nonpolar

NH3 polar or nonpolar
CH3Br polar or nonpolar
CH4 polar or nonpolar

A. Kinetic Molecular Theory of Liquids and Solids

Figure 2. Molecular level comparison of gases, liquids

Figure 1: Molecular or particle level view of a solid, liquid
and a gas
The Condensed State: Liquids and Solids
• In liquids, the molecules are so close
together that there is very little empty
space between them. Liquids are much
more difficult to compress and they are
much denser at normal conditions.
• Molecules in a liquid are held together
by one or more types of attractive forces.
and solids.
For gases:
• An increase in temperature results in
increased kinetic energies of gases
dissolved in liquids. This increased
motion enables the dissolved gas to
break intermolecular forces with the
solvent, and escape the solution.!
• Thus, a warm bottle of carbonated drink/
soft drink does not taste as good as a
cold one, because there is less CO2
dissolved in the warm bottle.

Kinetic Molecular Theory of Liquids and Solids
Materials: Water, ethanol, acetone, pentane
Questions to investigate:
1. How many drops of liquid can a 1-peso coin hold?
2. How long will it take for one drop of a liquid to
evaporate?
Safety Precautions:
The activity should be performed in an airy or well-
ventilated room.
Be reminded of the proper handling of the substances
will be using.
Avoid contact with the skin and direct inhalation of the
vapors of the substances.
It is best if you use safety gloves, goggles and mask.
1. Work in groups of three members. One of the
members will act as the recorder of data.
2. Each student should have a data sheet for their
results.
3. Check the availability of the materials for the activity.
Each group should have 8 pieces of 1-peso coin and 4
droppers.
4. Each group should have 4 labeled small vials
containing each of the liquids.
5. Using the first 4 coins, have the students drop each
liquid on a 1-peso coin and count the number of drops
the coin can hold.
6. Then on the next 4 coins, put a drop of the liquid and
determine how much time it takes one drop to
evaporate.
7. Write your results on the board for comparison with
the results of the class.
Discuss the results of the activity.
a. Which molecules can hold more drops on the coin?
b. Which molecules took longer to evaporate?
c. Are the molecules that can hold the lesser number of
drops the same as the molecules that took less
time to evaporate?
d. Based on the formula and geometries of the
substances, are the molecules that can hold more drops
on the coin polar or nonpolar? What about those that
took longer to evaporate?
A. Intermolecular forces are attractive forces that act
between molecules or particles in the solid or liquid
states. Generally, these attractive forces are much
weaker than bonding forces.
B. Why melting points and boiling points of substances
can be used as indicators of strength of
intermolecular forces operating in given solids and
liquids. When a solid melts, or a liquid boils, the
particles move away from each other. As they do,
intermolecular forces of attraction are broken. The
stronger the intermolecular forces to be broken, the
larger the amount of energy needed to break them,
hence, the higher the melting point for solid to liquid
transformation, and boiling point for liquid to gas
transformation.
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c. describe the different types of intermolecular forces
and relate these to the type of molecules that
exhibit them.
The different types of intermolecular forces are the
following:
Dispersion forces – these forces of attraction result
from temporary dipole moments induced in
ordinarily nonpolar molecules. These forces are present
between all types of molecules due to the
movement of electrons. As electrons move around the
nucleus, an uneven distribution causes
momentary charge separations. Slightly positive sides of
a molecule are attracted to the slightly negative
sides of the adjacent molecule.
The extent to which a dipole moment can be induced in
a molecule is called its polarisability.
Polarizability of the atom or molecule refers to the ease
with which the electron distribution can be
distorted. Generally, the larger the number of electrons
and the larger or more diffused the electron
cloud in the atom or molecule, the greater its
polarizability. Thus, dispersion forces may be the
weakest of intermolecular forces that can exist between
two molecules, but the larger the atoms present, the
stronger the dispersion forces.
For example, F2, the lightest halogen, is a gas, Br2 is a
liquid, and the heavier I2 ,is a solid at room
conditions. Further, the more atoms that make up the
molecules, the stronger are the dispersion forces.
Methane, CH4, is gaseous, but larger hydrocarbons like
butane, C4H10. is liquid, and those with larger
number of carbon atoms, like the waxes, are solids at
room temperature.
An Illustration of London Dispersion Forces using
Helium atoms (2 electrons)
• Consider atoms of helium. The average distribution of
electrons around each nucleus is spherically
symmetrical. The atoms are nonpolar and possess no
dipole moment.
• At a given instant in time, the distribution of electrons
around an individual atom, may not be
perfectly symmetrical. Both electrons may be on one
side of the nucleus, as shown on the leftmost
atom in the figure below.
• The atom would have an apparent dipole moment at
that instant in time (i.e. a transient dipole).
• A close neighboring atom, shown on the right, would
be influenced by this apparent dipole. The
electrons of the neighboring atom would move away
from the negative region of the dipole. Due to
electron repulsion, a temporary dipole on one atom can
induce a similar dipole on a neighboring atom
• This will cause the neighboring atoms to be attracted
to one another. This is called the London dispersion
force (or just dispersion force). It is significant only
when the atoms are close together.