Kinetic theory
The kinetic particle model explains the properties of the different states of matter. Particles in solids, liquids and gases have different amounts of energy. The particles are arranged differently and move in different ways.
This table summarises the arrangement and movement of the particles in solids, liquids and gases and shows simple diagrams of the arrangement of the particles.
| Solid | Liquid | Gas | |
| Arrangement of particles | close together: regular pattern | close together: random | far apart: random |
| Movement of particles | vibrate about a fixed position | move around each other | move quickly in any direction |
| Arrangement of particles | |
| Solid | close together: regular pattern |
| Liquid | close together: random |
| Gas | far apart: random |
| Movement of particles | |
| Solid | vibrate about a fixed position |
| Liquid | move around each other |
| Gas | move quickly in any direction |