S1 Science: States Of Matter And The Particle Model (Paper 1 (basics))

S1 Science: States of Matter and the Particle Model (Paper 1 (basics))

2026-11-14

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Tutor Prep Guide · The three states, particle arrangement and motion, changes of state and latent heat

S1 Science: States of Matter and the Particle Model (Paper 1 (basics))

This paper builds the basics: the names and properties of the three states, particle arrangement, the freezing and boiling points of water, melting and condensation, and simple temperature changes.

Direct answers　For each question ask which state it is, then whether the particles are closely packed or spread out, and only then how the temperature changes. Only six changes of state need memorising, and sorting out their directions keeps the answers straight.

01　Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10
Suggested time	20
Difficulty mix	Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1
Chapter	Chapter: S1 Science: States of Matter and the Particle Model
Level	S1

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationWhich three states of matter are ice, water and water vapour?
FoundationWhat are the two most obvious properties of a solid?
FoundationWater is poured into cups of different shapes. How do its shape and volume change?
IntermediateA gas fills its whole container. Does it have a fixed volume?
IntermediateAt standard pressure, at what temperature does water freeze?
IntermediateAt standard pressure, at what temperature does water boil?
ChallengeWhat is the change called when ice is heated and becomes water?
ChallengeWhat is the change called when water vapour cools and forms water droplets?
ChallengeWater at 20 °C is heated to 100 °C. By how much does the temperature rise?
Error redoA student says the particles in a gas are not moving. What is wrong?

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	Solid, liquid and gas	One substance can exist as a solid, a liquid or a gas; the particles stay the same and only their arrangement and motion change.
2	A fixed shape and a fixed volume	Particles in a solid are packed closely and vibrate about fixed positions, so neither shape nor volume changes easily.
3	The shape follows the container, but the volume stays the same	Liquid particles can slide past each other but still attract one another, so the volume stays fixed.
4	No, its volume is not fixed	Gas particles are farthest apart and move fastest, so they spread out until the container is full.
5	0 °C	0 °C is the freezing point of water, where the liquid turns into a solid.
6	100 °C	While boiling, water throughout the liquid vaporises and the temperature stays at 100 °C.
7	Melting	Heating makes the particles vibrate faster until they leave their fixed positions, and the solid becomes a liquid.
8	Condensation	Gas particles lose energy, slow down and move closer together, so the gas turns into a liquid.
9	80 °C	The rise is 100 minus 20, which gives 80 °C.
10	Gas particles move randomly all the time	Particles in every state are always moving, and gas particles move fastest of all.

04　What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

For particle model questions ask three things: which state the substance is in, how closely the particles are packed, and how their motion changes on heating or cooling.Tutor Registration →

Questions and answers are written originally by the TutorZone team and are not taken from any school, publisher or examination authority paper. Every value is checked by computer.