What factors governs the state of matter?

What makes the matter to exist in any one of three state of matter?

Why should the properties of solids, liquids and gases be different?

Before finding a solution for the above mentioned questions, let us recollect that:

• All matter is made up of very small particles. These particles may be atoms, ions or molecules.

• The constituent particles in any matter are constantly in motion. Thus, they possess kinetic energy.

• The kinetic energy of these particles increase with increase in temperature.

• The particles in any matter attract each other. This force of attraction decreases as the distance between the particles increases.

The force of attraction between the particles in any matter is called intermolecular force or force of cohesion.

The intermolecular force or the force of cohesion between the particles tends to bring them closer to each other, whereas motion of the particles tends to bring them closer to each other, whereas motion of the particles tends to move them away from each other. 

Thus, the physical state of any matter depends upon the net effect of these two factors.

It is concluded that,

• When the intermolecular force or the force of cohesion between the constituent particles is very strong and the kinetic energy is very small, the matter exists as a solid.

• When the force of cohesion between the constituent particles is negligible and the kinetic energy is very large, the matter exists as a gas.
• When the force of cohesion between the constituent particles is moderately strong and the kinetic energy is sufficient for particles to move to and fro, the matter exits as a liquid.

Read More: What is humidity, absolute humidity and relative humidity?

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