The diameter of a molecule is approximately :
- (a)1 cm
- (b)10 cm
- (c)10-10 m
- (d)1 m
Show SolutionHide Solution↓
10-10 m
Reason — A molecule is very small in size which is about 10-10 m to 10-9 m.
ICSE Class 6 Physics · Selina Solutions Concise Physics Class 6 ICSE · 33 solved questions
The diameter of a molecule is approximately :
10-10 m
Reason — A molecule is very small in size which is about 10-10 m to 10-9 m.
The inter-molecular forces are strongest in :
solids
Reason — The inter-molecular force of attraction between the particles is more in solids, less in liquids and least in gases.
The molecules :
in a liquid, move within its boundary.
Reason — The molecules in a solid are fixed at their positions and can only vibrate about their mean positions while in a liquid they can move within the boundary and moves freely in space in gas.
Solids are :
more dense
Reason — Solids have strong force of attraction (inter-molecular force) and least inter-molecular spaces between it's molecules which makes them more closely packed state and thus are more dense than liquids and gases.
The inter-molecular forces in liquids are :
weaker than in solids
Reason —
Solids : Molecules are tightly packed, and intermolecular forces are strongest, giving them a fixed shape and volume.
Liquids : Molecules are less tightly packed compared to solids, so the intermolecular forces are weaker — allowing them to flow but still maintain a definite volume.
Gases : Molecules are far apart, and intermolecular forces are negligible — they can expand to fill any container.
The diagram below shows the arrangement of molecules in three states of matter.
The arrangement of molecules in drinking water would look like.
II
Reason — As drinking water belongs to liquid state which is less closely packed than solid and more packed than gas.
Assertion (A): A metal water tank does not change its shape when filled.
Reason (R): Solids cannot be compressed under ordinary pressure.
Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation
Assertion (A) is true because a metal water tank retains its shape when filled because solids are rigid and do not deform easily under normal conditions.
Reason (R) is true because solids have very little intermolecular space, so they cannot be compressed under ordinary pressure.
The Reason correctly explains the Assertion.
Therefore, both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Assertion (A): Packing sand in a bag will double its volume.
Reason (R): Solids have a definite shape, size and volume.
A is false but R is true
Explanation
Assertion (A) is false because packing sand in a bag does not double its volume; in fact, the volume may decrease slightly as the grains settle and occupy the gaps between them more efficiently.
Reason (R) is true because individual solid particles have a definite shape, size and volume.
Therefore, A is false but R is true.
Fill in the blanks :
(a) All the molecules of a substance are ............... .
(b) The inter-molecular spacing is ............... in solids ............... in liquids and ............... in gases.
(c) The molecular motion in liquid and gas is in ............... path.
(d) In a solid, the molecules ............... but they remain at their fixed positions.
(e) The inter-molecular forces are the weakest in ............... .
(f) A solid exerts pressure ............... .
(g) Gases are ............... dense.
(h) Solids are ............... rigid.
(a) All the molecules of a substance are identical.
(b) The inter-molecular spacing is least in solids more in liquids and still more in gases.
(c) The molecular motion in liquid and gas is in zig-zag path.
(d) In a solid, the molecules vibrate on either side but they remain at their fixed positions.
(e) The inter-molecular forces are the weakest in gases.
(f) A solid exerts pressure downwards on its base.
(g) Gases are least dense.
(h) Solids are most rigid.
Write true or false for each statement :
(a) The molecules of each substance are identical.
(b) The inter-molecular forces are effective at all distances between the two molecules.
(c) The molecules in a substance are in random motion.
(d) In a gas, the molecules can move anywhere in space.
(e) Liquids are less viscous than gases.
(a) False because different substances (e.g. air, water etc.) contain different types of molecules, so they are not identical
(b) False as intermolecular forces act only at very short distances (a few nanometers). At large distances, they become negligible.
(c) True since the particles of matter are not at rest, but they move randomly in all possible directions in a zig zag path.
(d) True as the inter-molecular forces are very weak in a gas which makes the molecules wide apart and hence, they can move freely in space.
(e) False because liquids are generally more viscous than gases because their molecules are closer together, leading to more friction between different layers.
Match the following columns :
| Column A | Column B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | A molecule is composed of | (i) | does not exist free in nature. |
| (b) | Ice, water and water vapour | (ii) | can vibrate only up to about 10-10 m from their mean positions. |
| (c) | An atom | (iii) | atoms. |
| (d) | Gases | (iv) | are the three states of water. |
| (e) | The molecules of a solid | (v) | occupy space |
| Column A | Column B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | A molecule is composed of | (iii) | atoms. |
| (b) | Ice, water and water vapour | (iv) | are the three states of water. |
| (c) | An atom | (i) | does not exist free in nature. |
| (d) | Gases | (v) | occupy space |
| (e) | The molecules of a solid | (ii) | can vibrate only up to about 10-10 m from their mean positions. |
Define matter. What is its composition?
Matter is defined as any substance that occupies space and has mass. It is made up of molecules which are very small in size (~ 10-9 m).
Name the three states of matter.
Three states of matter are :
What is a molecule?
A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that is made up of one or more than one atoms of the same kind or of different kinds.
Mention one example each of a monoatomic and a diatomic molecule.
Monoatomic Molecule : Neon (Ne)
Diatomic Molecule : Hydrogen Molecule (H2)
What do you mean by inter-molecular spacing?
The spacing between molecules of matter is called inter-molecular space.
What do you mean by inter-molecular forces?
The force of attraction between the constituent particles of matter is called intermolecular force of attraction.
What are the forces of cohesion and adhesion ?
Force of cohesion (Cohesive Force) : The force of attraction between the particles of same substances is called the force of cohesion or cohesive force.
Force of adhesion (Adhesive Force) : The force of attraction between the particles of two different substances is called the force of adhesion or adhesive force.
State three characteristics of molecules of matter which determine its solid, liquid and gaseous state.
The three characteristics which decide the state of a substance as a solid, liquid or gas are :
The molecules in a substance are in motion. What type of path do they follow?
The molecules in a substance follow zig zag path when they are in motion.
Complete the following :
(a) Solid $\xrightarrow{\space ............... \space}$ Liquid
(b) ............... $\xrightarrow{\text {Boiling}}$ Gas
(a) Solid $\xrightarrow {\textbf {Melting}}$ Liquid
(b) Liquid $\xrightarrow{\text {Boiling}}$ Gas
Describe a simple experiment to illustrate the existence of inter-molecular spacing.
Experiment :
Take 100 ml of water in a measuring cylinder. Add 20 gram of salt in water gently and stir it well so as to dissolve the salt well in water. It is noticed that the level of water does not change as it can be seen from below figure. It shows that the particles of salt have occupied the spaces between the particles of water.

How do solids, liquids and gases differ in their following properties :
(a) Size
(b) Shape
(c) Density?
| Properties | Solid | Liquid | Gas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Size (volume) | Definite | Definite | Indefinite, acquires the size available |
| (b) | Shape | Definite | Indefinite, acquires the shape of the container | Indefinite, acquires the shape of the container |
| (c) | Density | Highly dense | Less dense | Least dense |
Describe a simple experiment to illustrate that molecules are not at rest, but they constantly move.
The following experiment can be performed to illustrate that molecules are not at rest, but they constantly move :
Take a beaker. Fill it partly with water. Add some lycopodium powder in the beaker containing water. Stir the contents of the beaker with a glass rod. Take out few drops of this suspension on a glass plate. Place the plate on the table and illuminate it with a table lamp. Observe the glass plate through a microscope. It is found that the fine particles of lycopodium powder move rapidly in a random manner and their path is zig zag as shown in figure below.
The reason is that the particles of water are in random motion which collide with the suspended fine particles of lycopodium powder and make them move in a zig zag path.
Write down five general properties of solids, liquids and gases.
Five general properties of solids, liquids and gases are given below:
| S. No. | Solid | Liquid | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | A solid has a definite shape and a definite size (i.e., length, area and volume) | A liquid has a definite volume, but not a definite shape. | A gas has neither a definite volume nor a definite shape. |
| 2. | The molecules in a solid are closely packed. | The molecules in a liquid are loosely packed. | The molecules in a gas are wide apart. |
| 3. | The molecules in a solid are fixed at their positions. They can only vibrate about their mean positions. | The molecules in a liquid can move within the boundary of the liquid. | The molecules of a gas can move freely in space. |
| 4. | The inter-molecular forces are very strong. | The inter-molecular forces are less strong (moderate). | The inter-molecular forces are weak. |
| 5. | Solids are highly rigid. | Liquids are less rigid. | Gases are non-rigid. |
Give the molecular model for a solid and use it to explain why a solid has a definite volume and a definite shape.
Features of molecular model for a solid are :
Thus, this model concludes that solids are rigid, they have a definite size, definite shape and a definite volume.
Describe the molecular model for a liquid. How does it explain that a liquid has no definite shape, but has a definite volume ?
Features of molecular model for a liquid are :
Thus, this model concludes that liquids do not have a definite shape, but have a definite volume and can flow from a higher to a lower level. They show the property of viscosity and surface tension because of the cohesive forces.
A gas has neither a definite volume nor a definite shape. Describe the molecular model to explain it.
Features of molecular model for a gas are :
Thus, this model concludes that a gas has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume, but it can flow and is easily compressible.
Distinguish between the three states of matter — solid, liquid and gas on the basis of their molecular models.
| S. No. | Properties | Solid | Liquid | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mass | Definite | Definite | Definite |
| 2. | Shape | Definite | Acquires the shape of the container | Acquires the shape of the container |
| 3. | Volume | Definite | Definite | Indefinite, acquires the volume available |
| 4. | Compressibility | Not compressible | Negligibly compressible | Highly compressible |
| 5. | Fluidity | Not possible | Can flow | Can flow |
| 6. | Rigidity | Highly rigid | Less rigid | Not rigid |
| 7. | Diffusion | Slow | Fast | Very fast |
| 8. | Number of free surfaces | Any number of free surfaces | Only one free surface | None |
| 9. | Packing of molecules | Very closely packed | Less closely packed | Least closely packed |
| 10. | Inter-molecular forces | Strongest | Slightly weaker than in solids | Negligible |
| 11. | Expansion on heating | Low | More than solids | More than liquids |
| 12. | Motion of constituent molecules | Only vibrate on either side of their mean positions | Move in all directions but within the boundary of the liquid | Move in a random manner in all space available |
| 13. | Pressure | Only at base downwards | At all points in all directions inside the boundary of the liquid | On the walls of the container |
| 14. | Viscosity | No | More viscous | Least viscous |
| 15. | Surface Tension | No | Due to cohesive force tends to occupy minimum surface area | No |
Distinguish between solids, liquids and gases on the basis of their following properties:
(a) compressibility
(b) fluidity
(c) rigidity
(d) expansion on heating
| Properties | Solid | Liquid | Gas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Compressibility | Not compressible | Negligibly compressible | Highly compressible |
| (b) | Fluidity | Not possible | Can flow | Can flow |
| (c) | Rigidity | Highly rigid | Less rigid | Not rigid |
| (d) | Expansion on heating | Low | More than solids | More than liquids |
What do you mean by change of state of matter? Explain :
(a) the change of a solid into a liquid at a constant temperature, and
(b) the change of a liquid into a gas at a constant temperature.
A change of state of matter refers to the physical transformation of a substance from one state (solid, liquid, or gas) to another due to a change in temperature.
(a) The process of changing of a substance from the solid state into its liquid state on absorption of heat at a particular temperature, called the melting point, is called melting in which the heat energy absorbed by the substance increases the amplitude of vibrations of the molecules of the solid and a stage is reached at the melting point when the molecules acquire sufficient energy to overcome the force of attraction between them and they become free to move. The solid thus changes into a liquid.
Solid $\xrightarrow[\text{Heat absorbed}]{\text{Melting}}$ Liquid
(b) The process of change of a substance from the liquid state to its gaseous state at a particular temperature, called the boiling point, is called boiling in which the heat energy absorbed by a substance in liquid state increases the energy of its molecules due to which they begin to move rapidly. Thus a liquid changes into a gas.
Liquid $\xrightarrow[\text{Heat absorbed}]{\text{Boiling}}$ Gas
Given below is a crossword puzzle based on this lesson. Read the clues across and clues downwards and fill up the blank squares.
Across :
Down :
Neha visited her uncle's village during the holidays. Her aunt stored drinking water in an earthen pot. Neha poured some water into a glass to drink. Later, she poured another helping of water from the pot into a different shaped glass. A few hours later, she again poured water from the pot into a mug of a different shape. Each time, she noticed that the water took the shape of the container even when the amount she poured stayed the same.
Later, she played with her cousin using a wooden toy block. They tried pressing and squeezing it, but its shape did not change. At the same time, her aunt lit a mosquito repellent coil and the smoke slowly mixed with the air and spread through the room.
Answer the following :
(i) Which observation shows that the wooden block is a solid?
(ii) Which property of water did Neha observe when she changed its container?
(iii) Why did the mosquito repellent smoke spread throughout the room?
(iv) What inference can you draw about the shape of matter from these observations?
(i) The wooden block did not change its shape when pressed or squeezed which shows that solids have a fixed shape and resist deformation.
(ii) Neha observed that water takes the shape of its container while its quantity remains the same. This shows that liquids have no fixed shape but a fixed volume.
(iii) The smoke spread because it has particles that move freely in all directions and mix with air due to large spaces between them.
(iv) Following inferences can be drawn about the shape of matter from these observations :
Press ↓ to reveal a solution and move to the next question. Back to Selina Solutions Concise Physics Class 6 ICSE.