Grade 11 Physics Pools 3&4 Worksheet: Phases of Matter and Thermal
Expansion
Part 1: Phases of Matter
1. Question:
Describe the difference between solids, liquids, and gases with respect to intermolecular
forces, motion of molecules, shape, and volume.
2. Question:
Explain why gases are more compressible than solids and liquids.
3. Question:
Using the Kinetic Theory, explain why liquids flow but solids do not.
4. Question:
Identify one example of diffusion in gases and one in liquids.
Part 2: Kinetic Theory and Intermolecular Forces
5. Question:
A syringe contains air (gas) and water (liquid). Describe what happens when you apply
pressure to the syringe and explain why the behaviors of the gas and liquid differ.
6. Question:
Explain how the Kinetic Theory accounts for the differences in behavior between a gas
and a liquid in terms of temperature changes.
Part 3: Thermal Expansion
7. Question:
A metal rod is 1 meter long at 20°C. It is heated to 120°C, causing it to expand by 0.2
cm.
o (a) What is the new length of the rod?
o (b) Explain why the rod expanded.
8. Question:
List two practical examples of thermal expansion and describe how they are related to
everyday life.
9. Question:
A bimetallic strip consists of two metals with different expansion rates. When heated, the
strip bends. Explain why this happens and how this principle is used in everyday
applications.
Part 4: Expansion and Compression
10. Question:
You heat a closed can of soda. Describe what happens to the gas inside the can and
explain why this occurs.
11. Question:
In the ball and ring experiment, a metal ball just fits through a ring at room temperature.
When the ball is heated, it no longer passes through the ring. Explain why this occurs.
12. Question:
Why do bridges and railroads have small gaps between sections, and what would happen
if these gaps were not present?
13. Question:
A liquid-filled thermometer works by the principle of thermal expansion. The liquid
inside the thermometer expands as it gets warmer, rising up the tube. If a thermometer
filled with a different liquid is used, will the rise in temperature be the same for both
liquids? Explain why or why not.