Final answer:
The way particles move in solids, liquids, and gases depends on the balance between intermolecular forces and kinetic energy, which are influenced by temperature and determine the matter's state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences in how particles in a solid, liquid, and gas move and look in a model are primarily due to the balance between intermolecular forces and kinetic energy of the particles. Solids have particles that are tightly packed together and often arranged in a regular pattern, vibrating about fixed positions. Liquids have particles that are close together without any regular arrangement and can move past each other while maintaining constant contact. In contrast, gases have particles that are far apart, moving independently and in constant motion. The average kinetic energy of particles, which is heavily influenced by temperature, and the strength of intermolecular forces determine the state of matter a substance will be in. In a gas, intermolecular forces are negligible except during collisions, and kinetic energy is high, leading to the independence of gas particles.