IP Combined Science Notes (Lower Sec, Year 1-2): 02) Particle Model of Matter & States
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)07 Dec 2025, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Ezekiel Tan·Academic Advisor (Biology)
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Q: What does IP Combined Science Notes (Lower Sec, Year 1-2): 02) Particle Model of Matter & States cover?
A: Explain particle arrangements, interpret heating curves, and calculate density plus expansion effects.
Linking observations (melting ice, condensation on glassware) to invisible particles allows you to predict changes in state, density, and pressure with confidence.
These notes align with MOE's Lower Secondary Science syllabus themes commonly taught in IP Sec 1–2, and act as a bridge into upper-secondary Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Status: MOE Lower Secondary Science syllabus (current release) checked 2025-11-30 - scope unchanged; remains the reference for these combined science notes.
Learning targets
- Describe particle arrangement, motion, and energy across solids, liquids, and gases.
- Interpret heating and cooling curves, identifying latent heat regions.
- Apply the density formula with consistent SI units and explain anomalous water behaviour.
- Predict effects of thermal expansion in solids, liquids, and gases.
1. Particle arrangement summary
| State | Spacing | Motion | Energy |
| Solid | Particles closely packed in fixed positions. | Vibrate about mean positions. | Lowest of the three states. |
| Liquid | Particles close but disordered. | Slide past each other. | Moderate, enough to overcome some attractions. |
| Gas |
