Question

Which ranks these materials by the attraction between their atoms from the weakest to the strongest? oxygen gas, liquid water, liquid honey, solid iron ore
liquid water, liquid honey, oxygen gas, solid iron ore
solid iron ore, liquid honey, liquid water, oxygen gas
oxygen gas, liquid honey, liquid water, solid iron ore

Answer 1

The greater the attraction between atoms, the less 'freedom' or movement they have.

-In a solid, the atoms are held together in a fixed position and have a strong attraction to one another. For example, table salt (sodium chloride - NaCl) is a solid as the sodium and chlorine ions form a highly structured crystalline lattice. They cannot move at all, only vibrate.

-In a liquid, the atoms have a weaker attraction to one another than a solid, but it is still sufficient to 'hold' them together. Unlike with a solid, we can pour a liquid as the atoms flow past one another, but it will still only take up a fixed amount of volume in a container.

The more viscous/thick the liquid is (e.g. honey compared to water), the greater the attraction between the atoms, as they have less ability to move and flow past one another.

-In a gas, all the atoms/particles essentially have no interactions with one another and move about independently (i.e. they can just collide and bounce off one another). Unlike with a solid, the atoms in a gas will disperse to fill the entire volume available in any container we place it into.

Hope that helps you out with this question! :)