‹ Chemistry simulationsChemistry · AS Level 9701 · 4 States of matterSix simulations covering Topic 4: the kinetic model of solids, liquids and gases, the ideal gas equation and the gas laws, where gas pressure comes from and when real gases stop being ideal, giant and simple lattices, the allotropes of carbon, and why alloys are harder than pure metals.
Particles in a solid vibrate about fixed positions in a lattice. Heat it and the vibrations grow until the lattice breaks down into a liquid, where the particles slide past each other. Heat further and they escape entirely as a gas. Drag the temperature slider and watch the same particles change state.
The piston slides freely, so the gas expands or is squeezed until its pressure matches the load of weights sitting on top. Set the load, the temperature and the amount, and the volume is what the gas settles at. Or move the volume slider yourself and watch which variable has to answer: the pressure at fixed temperature, the temperature at fixed pressure. The graph draws whichever gas law you are testing.
Gas pressure is the rate at which molecules hit the walls and bounce off. The assumptions of the ideal gas, tiny molecules with no forces between them, break down when the gas is squeezed or cooled. Count the wall hits, then switch on real-gas behaviour.
Four lattice types, each with its own particles and forces: giant ionic, giant covalent, giant metallic and simple molecular. The forces holding the lattice together decide the melting point, the hardness and whether it conducts. Rotate each structure and compare.
The same element, four structures. Diamond is a rigid three-dimensional network; graphite is layers held by weak forces; graphene is one of those layers on its own; C₆₀ is a closed cage of sixty atoms. Bonding decides everything from hardness to conductivity.
In a pure metal the layers of identical ions slide over each other easily, so the metal is malleable. Add atoms of a different size and the layers lock: the alloy is harder and stronger. Push the top layer and watch.
The kinetic model of solids, liquids and gases in 3D, the ideal gas piston and the gas laws, pressure from molecular collisions and real-gas deviations, ionic, covalent, molecular and metallic lattices, diamond, graphite, graphene and buckminsterfullerene, and why alloys are harder than pure metals.
Six simulations covering Topic 4: the kinetic model of solids, liquids and gases, the ideal gas equation and the gas laws, where gas pressure comes from and when real gases stop being ideal, giant and simple lattices, the allotropes of carbon, and why alloys are harder than pure metals.
States of matter is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry 9701 (topic 4 States of matter, sections 4.1 The gaseous state: ideal gas behaviour and determination of relative molecular mass, 4.2 The liquid state). The same ideas are examined in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 (topic 2 Atoms, elements and compounds, topic 9 Metals). The course is assessed in Paper 1 (Multiple Choice (AS)), Paper 2 (AS Structured), Paper 3 (Advanced Practical), Paper 4 (A Level Structured), Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis, Evaluation). Syllabus for examination in 2025-2027. There are 6 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.
Full syllabus map: AS Level Chemistry 9701 topic 4.
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