Why do gases mix easily, while solids do not?
Gases mix easily because the interparticle attractions in gases are negligible, allowing their particles to move freely in all directions.
The particles have maximum interparticle spacing and can spread to occupy all available space.
In contrast, solids have very strong interparticle attractions with particles tightly packed in fixed positions.
The particles in solids can only vibrate about their positions and cannot move past each other, preventing easy mixing.
Explanation
The chapter explains that in gases, interparticle attractions are negligible and particles move freely in all directions with maximum interparticle spacing. This allows gas particles to spread and mix easily. In solids, particles are tightly packed with strong interparticle attractions, restricting movement to only vibrations about fixed positions.
Solution Steps
Gases have negligible interparticle attractions, allowing particles to move freely in all directions
Gas particles have maximum interparticle spacing and can spread to occupy all available space
Solids have very strong interparticle attractions with particles tightly packed in fixed positions
Solid particles can only vibrate about their positions and cannot move past each other