Question

Which particle model could best represent the steel wool when it was in a compressed state and the steel wool after it was expanded, and why?

a) Solid particle model
b) Liquid particle model
c) Gas particle model
d) Plasma particle model

Answer 1

The solid particle model best represents steel wool in compressed and expanded states because its particles are always in close contact, similar to the atoms in a solid which vibrate but do not easily change relative positions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The particle model that could best represent the steel wool when it was compressed and after it was expanded is the solid particle model. The reason for this is that, in both states, the steel wool's particles are in close contact with one another, much like particles in a solid. When compressed, the particles are held tighter together but remain in contact, resembling the arrangement of atoms in a solid where the atoms are always in close contact with neighboring atoms. Similarly, when the steel wool is expanded, the particles are still in close contact, although there is more space between them, however, they do not have the freedom to move and fill space as in a liquid or gas state. This is aligned with the characteristics of solids where the particles can vibrate but do not generally change position relative to one another.