If atoms are constantly in motion ,unless frozen i believe,then how does an object maintain it shape?

Question

for instance an ice cube is solid an maintains it shape,water is fluid.

Answer 1

its a VERY good question.

3 states of matter

mostly only space between atoms, not much else

Answer 2

Good question.

It is simply a matter of how much the atoms are moving. In solids, the atoms are more or less interlaced and hold the shape of the object. Their motion within this structure is typically an indication of the thermal energy contained in the substance.

Enough thermal energy and the atoms motion will increase to a point where the structure will break down and the object will surely loose its shape.

A liquid lacks any structural bonding between the atoms/molecules and pretty much move at random.

Answer 3

Depends on what you call motion. On a macroscopic scale, a block of metal sitting on the table doesn't look like it's doing much. On a subatomic scale though, things are constantly sliding and moving around.

Atoms are mostly empty space. Electrons form a fuzzy shell around the nucleus, but it's still mostly empty. So even in the hardest substance you can think of, atoms are still moving and sliding around.

The only temperature where all atomic motion ceases is absolute zero. However, like the speed of light, it's something that cannot be obtained.

We have gotten very close to absolute zero though, and many strange things happen at those temperatures.

~X~

Answer 4

Well they are in motion, its just that in most solids the motion is so incredibly tiny, that it cancels out on a macro (that's you and me) scale.

In liquids, the molecules rub against each other in a totally random way which is why liquids always flow to fill a volume.

In a gas the cohesion between the atoms is almost entirely gone and the atoms (now much more energetic) whiz around banging off of everything.

So Imagine its like this - a bus full of first graders, they have to remain in their seats (so your object remains a solid) but they move around and talk to each other and they have all these tiny movements which are their individual motions, but they themselves haven't moved.

Answer 5

U see atoms vibrate to get energy a body tends to move so it gets energy by this energy the atoms stay in touch with each other (STRANGE!)well i'll take U inside an atom deep in inside it im the proton and elctron a tiny more particle called quark are there they are in motion all the three quarks stay contacted (i mean be in shape like the atom) by energy in the form of photons(so they are called not actually light particles) these quarks get energy due to their rapid rotation (U know consrevation of energy) the energy gained by them is in the form of photons so they be attached so these quarks compose all of the electrons and protons well know so the electron rotates about the proton and exchanges and also looss energy and you know the protons and neutrons are also vibrated so there is strong force acting between them and all the atoms vibrate to just exchange energy got it if the vibrations are stopped that's all folks the show's over all the bodys shape will be changed coz no force acting between them. I hope You understand my answer if you have a better knowledge of quantum and classical mechanics and electro dynamics still feel guilty contactme.

Answer 6

Atoms are in motion .But the intermolecular space differs if it is gas the place is more,liquids the place is less and in solids the molecules r packed tightly.
the intermolecular attraction is im portant in maintaining the shape of any thing..best example ice needs heat to convert into water or liquid ,liquid water needs heat to get converted in to water vapor or gas .
any element will not change its state(gas ,liquid, or solid) unless it is acted by external force or energy

Answer 7

well actually even substances in their solid or frozen state move. but the vibrations are so little that u can't tell. as for liquids its in between a gas and a solid that's y the flow but don't move around like gases.