Particles and Energy
Increasing the temperature causes particles to gain speed and energy.

Particles and Energy

This KS2 Science quiz, Particles and Energy, is all about the way that particles in solids, liquids and gases behave and how they interact with energy, for example in evaporation and condensation.

Matter (that's solids, liquids or gases) is all made up from particles. Electrons, neutrinos and photons are all subatomic particles. A particle is something that is so tiny we can't see it. Scientists are continuously investigating matter and the particles from which matter is made. Atoms are so tiny you wouldn't even be able to see them with a good microscope - you would need a very special microscope. But atoms aren't the smallest particles - electrons, protons and neutrons are even tinier. And just wait until you learn about quarks!

How do the particles in solids, liquids and gases behave differently to one another? Sound waves make which particles vibrate? See how much you know about particles and the energy they hold by trying this science quiz.

1.
Which state of matter has particles which move very fast?
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Solids and liquids
The particles in gases move much faster than those in a liquid and those of a solid hardly move at all
2.
Sound waves travel fastest through which material?
Solids
Liquids
Gases
Sound waves don't change their speed
Vibrations can be passed along more quickly when particles are closer together, as they are in a solid
3.
Lowering the temperature of a substance causes its particles to do what?
Speed up
Maintain the same speed
Slow down
Stop moving
Lowering the temperature reduces the amount of energy
4.
Sound waves can cause which of these to vibrate?
Particles of a solid
Particles of a liquid
Particles of a gas
All of the above
This is why sound can pass through almost any material
5.
Increasing the temperature causes particles to gain what?
Speed
Energy
Mass
Speed and energy
The energy speeds up the particles so they are gaining both speed and energy
6.
What takes place when particles gain enough energy to escape the surface of a liquid?
Condensation
Evaporation
Freezing
Melting
If you heat a liquid up you are giving it energy and it might evaporate
7.
Particles in which state of matter are tightly packed?
Solid
Liquid
Gas
All of the above
When a substance is solid, its particles do not move around much. Because their particles are so tightly packed, solids keep their shape unless forced to change (i.e. by cutting or squashing)
8.
What are light particles known as?
Molecules
Electrons
Photons
Neutrons
The clue is in the name! 'Photo' means 'related to light'
9.
A vibrating object causes air particles to vibrate. These air particles cause other air particles to vibrate, which cause more air particles to vibrate.  What is this movement of energy called?
Sound waves
Gravity
Force
Tidal waves
Sound is a vibration in the air
10.
Which of the following is true of the particles of a liquid?
The particles of a liquid do not move
They move very fast, much faster than the particles of a gas
They are more tightly-packed than the particles of a solid
They are not as tightly packed as a solid's particles, but do not move as freely as those of a gas
Liquids are halfway between a solid and a gas
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - States of matter

Author:  Sheri Smith

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