Matter in the universe

1. Listen to or look through the following text:

That matter may exist in three physical states (solid, liquid and gas) is common knowledge. It is usually possible to change matter from one state to the other by changing its temperature. For instance, a piece of ice is called a solid; it may melt and form a liquid; as it evaporates, liquid water changes into a vapour, i. e. into the gaseous state.

Many kinds of matter, like water, can be obtained in each of the three states; for some, however, extraordinary means have to be used in order to produce one, or even two of the states; and for others, only two states are known or can be produced.

Common salt, for example, exists normally as a solid; at a temperature of several hundred degrees, it can be liquefied; and at still higher temperature it is converted into vapour. Carbon, a solid under normal conditions, can be vaporized, but it has never been liquefied.

Solids have both a definite volume and a definite shape. Liquids, too, have a definite volume, but they take the shape of their containers.

Gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. A chemist must have a thorough knowledge of the states of matter and of physical laws that govern the behaviour of matter in various states.

That all matter is composed of molecules is known to everybody. The question which must be answered, then, is: if all matter is composed of molecules, what is the essential difference between the states of matter? The answer to this question is that the essential difference between these states is the relative quantities of energy molecules possess in different states.

2. Look through the text again and find the sentences where the author describes:

1) the facts that are well-known;

2) examples of matter changes;

3) the necessity for a specialist to know matter transformations;

4) a question on the matter composition and the answer to it.

3. Read the text thoroughly with a dictionary and answer the following questions:

1. How is it usually possible to change matter from one state to the other?

2. Can all kinds of matter be obtained in each of the three states?

3. What do solids have?

4. What characterizes gases?

5. Why should a chemist know the states of matter?

6. What other substances besides water can be obtained in the three states?

4. Find in the text English equivalents to the given Russian words, word combinations and chemical terms:

1. общеизвестно 9. относительное количество

2. обычно 10. преобразовывать(ся)

3. существовать 11. получить

4. чрезвычайные средства 12. произвести

5. таять/плавиться 13. форма

6. градусы 14. твердое тело

7. определенный 15. испаряться

8. состоять из 16. объем

17. тщательный/глубокий 20. углерод

18. аналогично 21. еще

19. выпаривать(ся)

5. Match the Russian words, word combinations and chemical terms from ex. 4 with their English equivalents:

a) to obtain 1) like

b) common knowledge m) usually

c) definite n) carbon

d) relative quantity o) to be composed of

e) still p) extraordinary means

f) to melt q) to vaporize

g) to exist r) degrees

h) volume s) to convert

i) to evaporate t) solid

j) to produce u) shape

k) thorough

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14