Edexcel IGCSE Physics · Section 5
Solids, Liquids and Gases
Density, pressure, changes of state, specific heat capacity, specific latent heat and gas pressure.
What this section covers
This section covers particle explanations and calculations involving matter, heating and pressure.
- Use density, pressure and energy equations.
- Explain changes of state using particles.
- Describe gas pressure and temperature relationships.
- 1 Watch ▶
- 2 Watch ▶
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3
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Pressure: Using the Equations
Spec 5.3-5.5
Worked examples using the pressure equations.
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4
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Pressure and Pressure in Liquids
Spec 5.5-5.7
Covers calculate pressure from force and area, Explain why liquid pressure increases with depth and Use p = rho g h with all three factors.
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5
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Particle Model & Change of State
Spec 5.6-5.9
The particle model of matter and the changes of state.
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6
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Specific Heat Capacity: Using the Equation
Spec 5.8
Worked examples using the specific heat capacity equation.
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7
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Gas Pressure & Temperature
Spec 5.10-5.12
How the pressure of a gas changes with temperature and volume.
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8
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Heating Curves and Specific Heat Capacity Practicals (Paper 2)
Spec 5.11P-5.14P
Covers interpret a change-of-state plateau, Measure specific heat capacity of a solid and Measure specific heat capacity of water.
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9
Watch ▶
The Gas Laws
Spec 5.13-5.14
The gas laws and the link between pressure, volume and temperature.
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10
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Gas Pressure and Kelvin Temperature
Spec 5.19-5.21
Covers link kinetic energy to Kelvin temperature, Use p1/T1 = p2/T2 and Convert Celsius to kelvin correctly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the density equation?
Density = mass ÷ volume (ρ = m ÷ V).
How does pressure change with depth in a liquid?
Pressure increases with depth and with the density of the liquid.
What is specific heat capacity?
The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C. Energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change.
What happens to gas pressure when the temperature rises?
At constant volume the pressure increases, because the particles move faster and hit the walls harder and more often.
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