Question

A science teacher is explaining the arrangement of particles in the three states of matter using marbles. The teacher shows the class a glass container filled with marbles and explains that this represents the arrangement of particles in a solid. What would be the BEST way for the teacher to represent the arrangement of particles in a liquid?

1) Put the marbles into a second container that is smaller than the original.
2) Cover the container and shake it so the marbles move to different positions.
3) Dump the marbles in the container onto a larger metal tray with raised sides.
4) Invert the container and allow the marbles to roll across the floor and scatter

Answer 1

To best demonstrate liquid particle arrangement, a teacher should pour marbles onto a larger tray with raised sides, allowing them to move while staying connected, mimicking a liquid's properties. The correct answer is option 3) Dump the marbles in the container onto a larger metal tray with raised sides.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way for the teacher to represent the arrangement of particles in a liquid is to dump the marbles in the container onto a larger metal tray with raised sides (option 3). This setup allows the marbles to move freely while remaining in contact with one another, akin to the particles in a liquid maintaining a fixed volume but taking the shape of their container.

The other options do not accurately depict the properties of a liquid; option 1 decreases the volume, which is not representative of a liquid's property, option 2 is an incorrect representation as the marbles are confined and can't move freely, and option 4 would have the marbles too dispersed, more like a gas than a liquid.