Thursday, March 20, 2014

Kinetic Theory of Matter; States of Matter

The Kinetic Theory of Matter explains what matter is made up of and what the particles in the matter does. Atoms are composed to tiny, different particles such as atoms, ions, and molecules. The particles are in constant, random motions. Particles collide with each other in the walls of the container in which they are held. 



There are 3 states of matter, solid, liquid, and gas. Solids have a definite value and definite shape. Liquids have a definite volume but not a definite shape. Gases have no definite value and no definite shape. These are the 3 difference between solids, liquids, and gases. 



There is also a 4th state of matter which is plasma. Plasma is a hot ionized material that is contained with nuclei and electrons. 


Can a solid turn into a gas and skip the liquid stage? Yes it can, it's called sublimation. Sublimation is when a solid turns straight to a gas like dry ice. Dry ice is -72 degrees Fahrenheit that it can turn into a gas without being a liquid. I never knew that the theory and states of matter could be so interesting!



Monday, January 27, 2014

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are the occured by a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves which trembles the earth. Scientists measure earthquakes with seismometers. The biggest earthquake was a magnitude of 9.0 in Japan. Earthquakes occur the most in California. California has different homes than the homes in Texas. California homes are made to protect from earthquakes, while in Texas homes are made to protect tornadoes. There are three different kinds of earthquakes, strike-slip, normal, and thrust(reverse). Strike-slip faults are steep structures where the two sides of the fault slip horizontally past each other. Normal faults occur mainly in areas where the crust is being extended like a divergent boundary. Reverse faults occur in areas where the crust is being shortened like a convergent boundary. Earthquakes can trigger tsunamis, volcanoes, and land slides. Earthquakes are dangerous, but they are interesting to learn.