Solids, liquids and gases
1.1What the syllabus asks of you
- State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases
- Describe the structures of solids, liquids and gases in terms of particle separation, arrangement and motion
- Describe and explain changes of state (melting, boiling, evaporating, freezing and condensing) in terms of kinetic particle theory
- Interpret and explain heating and cooling curves in terms of kinetic particle theory
- Describe and explain, in terms of kinetic particle theory, the effects of temperature and pressure on the volume of a gas
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Chapter 1: Solids, liquids and gases
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Every question on Solids, liquids and gases, untimed, marked as you go.
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22 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Atemperature decreased, pressure decreased
Btemperature increased, pressure decreased
Ctemperature decreased, pressure increased
Dtemperature increased, pressure increased
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2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Avolume of air: decreases; distance between the particles in the air: decreases
Bvolume of air: decreases; distance between the particles in the air: increases
Cvolume of air: increases; distance between the particles in the air: decreases
Dvolume of air: increases; distance between the particles in the air: increases
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3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Avolume of water 20 cm³, volume of air 3 cm³
Bvolume of water 20 cm³, volume of air 300 cm³
Cvolume of water 30 cm³, volume of air 3 cm³
Dvolume of water 30 cm³, volume of air 300 cm³
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4Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q2Also set in Oct / Nov 2020 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AThe gas condenses to a liquid and so takes up less space.
BThe gas particles become smaller at lower temperatures.
CThe gas particles diffuse through the balloon and escape.
DThe gas particles move more slowly so reducing the pressure.
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5May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Ahexane: liquid, pentane: solid
Bhexane: liquid, pentane: gas
Chexane: solid, pentane: liquid
Dhexane: solid, pentane: gas
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6Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q1Show mark scheme →
AGases flow easily. | The bonds within the molecules are weak.
BThe pressure of a sample of gas increases when the volume is decreased. | The particles collide more frequently with the walls of the container.
CThe volume of a sample of gas increases when the temperature is increased. | The particles in a gas are far apart.
DThe spread of perfume particles is due to diffusion. | Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of low concentration to one of high concentration.
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7May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q1Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 only
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8May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Acondensation and evaporation
Bevaporation and melting
Cfreezing and condensation
Dmelting and freezing
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9Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q1Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2
B1 and 4
C2 and 3
D3 and 4
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10Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q1Show mark scheme →
A
B
C
D
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11May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Agas to liquid
Bliquid to gas
Cliquid to solid
Dsolid to liquid
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12May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q1Show mark scheme →
AThe particles are arranged in a giant lattice.
BThe particles have zero kinetic energy.
CThe particles move randomly through the solid.
DThe particles vibrate about a fixed point.
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13Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q4Show mark scheme →
Aboiling, melting, freezing, condensing
Bcondensing, freezing, boiling, melting
Cfreezing, condensing, boiling, melting
Dmelting, boiling, condensing, freezing
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14May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q4Show mark scheme →
Aparticles become more ordered; particles gain energy
Bparticles become more ordered; particles lose energy
Cparticles become less ordered; particles gain energy
Dparticles become less ordered; particles lose energy
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15May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q4Show mark scheme →
Adecreases pressure, increases temperature
Bincreases pressure, decreases temperature
Cincreases pressure, unchanged temperature
Dunchanged pressure, decreases temperature
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16May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q6Show mark scheme →
AWhen a liquid freezes it becomes a solid and energy is released to the surroundings.
BWhen a liquid reaches its boiling point it becomes a gas. This process is called evaporation.
CWhen a solid changes directly to a gas the process is called condensation.
DWhen a solid melts the particles get further apart and have less energy.
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17Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q7Show mark scheme →
Atemperature decreased, pressure decreased
Btemperature increased, pressure decreased
Ctemperature decreased, pressure increased
Dtemperature increased, pressure increased
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18May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q6Show mark scheme →
ADecrease the pressure and decrease the temperature.
BDecrease the pressure and increase the temperature.
CIncrease the pressure and decrease the temperature.
DIncrease the pressure and increase the temperature.
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19Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q4Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
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20Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q5Show mark scheme →
A0 °C and atmospheric pressure
B0 °C and twice atmospheric pressure
C30 °C and atmospheric pressure
D30 °C and twice atmospheric pressure
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21Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q3Also set in Oct / Nov 2017 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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22May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q4Show mark scheme →
AEnergy is released when a liquid changes into a solid.
BParticles move faster in the gaseous state than in the liquid state.
CThe carbon atoms in gaseous methane are further apart than those in solid diamond.
DThere is a large decrease in the volume of a solid metal when pressure is applied to it.
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