A teacher did an experiment to show the movement of particles in solids, liquids, and gases. The experimental set-up is shown below:
An inverted glass jar is shown. Small circles representing foam balls are shown inside the jar. A stretched balloon is shown tied at the mouth of the jar. A string is shown drawn out from the middle of the stretched balloon. A hand is shown pulling the drawn out string.
The teacher pulled the string attached to the stretched balloon, first slowly, then fast and finally vigorously. Which of the following is most likely correct about the pulling of the string and the corresponding state of matter being represented?
a) Gas is represented when pulled fast, solid when pulled slowly, liquid when pulled vigorously.
b) Gas is represented when pulled slowly, liquid when pulled fast, solid when pulled vigorously.
c) Solid is represented when pulled slowly, liquid when pulled fast, gas when pulled vigorously.
d) Solid is represented when pulled vigorously, liquid when pulled fast, gas when pulled slowly.
The correct answer is c) Solid is represented when pulled slowly, liquid when pulled fast, gas when pulled vigorously.
When the string is pulled slowly, the foam balls representing particles in a solid will not move or move very little, as the particles in solids are tightly packed and have little freedom of movement.
When the string is pulled fast, the foam balls representing particles in a liquid will move more freely and flow, as the particles in liquids are not as tightly packed as in solids and have more freedom of movement.
When the string is pulled vigorously, the foam balls representing particles in a gas will move quickly and spread out, as the particles in gases have the most freedom of movement and can fill the entire container they are in.