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The Particulate Nature of Matter

Kinetic particle theory and diffusion, plus atomic structure: protons, neutrons and electrons, proton and nucleon number, and isotopes.

What this topic covers

  • The three states of matter differ in particle arrangement and energy
  • Changing state means changing energy, not changing the particles themselves
  • Diffusion is particles spreading from high to low concentration
  • Molecular mass affects the rate of diffusion
  • Temperature affects the rate of diffusion
  • An atom is built from protons, neutrons and electrons
  • Proton number and nucleon number describe an atom's identity
  • Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
  • Ions form when an atom gains or loses electrons

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