Solids

Solids

Solids are one of the three states of matter and, unlike liquids or gases, they have a definite shape that is not easy to change. Different solids have particular properties such as stretch, STRENGTH, or hardness that make them useful for different jobs. Most solids are made up of tiny crystals. This is because their particles are arranged in a regular pattern, called a CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE.

Solids behave as they do because of the way their particles are arranged. The particles of a solid are linked by strong forces, which pull the particles tightly together. So, although the particles can vibrate, they cannot move about easily. This arrangement explains why solids usually keep their shape and feel firm.

Liquids

A liquid is a state of matter that has a definite size or volume but not a definite shape. A liquid takes the shape of the container in which it is held and presses on the container in the same amount in all directions. The molecules in a liquid are closer together than those in a gas but not as close together as those in a solid. The molecules in solids are in a fixed position but those in liquids move around more.

Example of Liquid – water.

Effects of liquids in Solids

Fabric (clothes)- Water soaks into things because of surface tension and causes them to swell up. Because water is a necessary component for live, keeping things dry also prevents mold from getting in and rotting them, and natural fabric, being made from plant material, is edible from a mold's prospective.

You can do experiments to see how water affects fabrics.

1.Look at the fabric labels to see whether they are cotton or polyester or wool or other fibers or 'blends' of different fibers.

2. Then put drops of water on the different fabrics and see how water interacts with them. I put drops of water on my fabrics by sticking my finger into a glass of water and then shaking my finger over the fabric or gently touching the water drop on my finger onto the fabric. Does the water sit on top of the fabric? Does it soak into the fabric?

3. Do you get different results if the fabric is lying on a table or if the fabric is lying over the top of a cup, so that there is air underneath?

4. How fast does the water soak into the different fabrics?

5. Are all your fabrics about the same thickness, or have you tested fabrics that are thin and fabrics that are thick? Do you think there is a difference if the fabric is knit or woven?

Water interacts with materials in different ways.

Some materials 'like' water. They are hydro-philic, and the water will soak into them quickly.

Some materials 'hate' water. They are hydro-phobic, and water will just sit on top of them.

You ask about the absorbent properties of fabrics. The absorbent properties of fabrics are probably different if they are absorbing water or if they are absorbing oil. I'm not going to test the oil-absorbing properties of my fabrics, because then the oil will be hard to wash out. Oil 'hates' water - it is hydro-phobic. We use soaps and detergents to get oil out of fabrics and off of dishes. Soaps and detergents are molecules that have one hydro-philic end and one hydro-phobic end.

You ask about fabrics made of cotton, wool, fleece and polyester. Cotton and wool are natural fibers from cotton plants and sheep. Polyester is a man-made [and woman-made] 'synthetic' fiber made from molecules that can hook together to form long fibers. Fleece is a kind of material that can be made from different fibers - cotton fleece, or polyester fleece, or blends of cotton and polyester, or other fibers or blends of fibers

Metals-

Rusting

Iron and steel rust when they come into contact with water and oxygen. Both water and oxygen are needed for rusting to occur. In the experiment below, the nail does not rust when air or water is not present.

The chemical deterioration of a material, usually a metal or metal alloy, is called corrosion. The most common causes of corrosion are contact with water and oxygen, though other substances in the earth and in the atmosphere can also cause corrosion. The material with the greatest economic importance that is most affected by corrosion is iron. The corrosion of iron is called rusting

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