2007-02-26 15:36:11 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Really good question:
The particles of a substance can be in four different phases (some people say three, but there is a fourth phase too): Solid, liquid, gas and plasma. The plasma is normally not taught in some places at all. As far as why the phases, the particles are just moving faster. The reason they move faster is due to heat. A change in temperature makes the substance go from one phase to another. Remember that the further the particles are from each other, the more volume they will take, also, thus, being a gas. Solid is normally when the particles are "aligned" and not too hot.
2007-02-26 15:43:55 · answer #1 · answered by F B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The temperature.
Each element, compound, or molecule has a specific melting and boiling point based on its structure, what types of bonds it has, etc. Its the temperature that determines the phase. For example, water is a gas above 100C, a liquid above 0C and below 100c, and a solid at 0C.
2007-02-26 23:40:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its internal energy.
2007-02-27 05:35:00 · answer #3 · answered by Honey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋