State of Matter Chemistry Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

easy

At room temperature, classify each as solid, liquid, or gas: (a) mercury, (b) oxygen, (c) table salt.

1
Mercury (Hg): liquid at room temperature (the only metal that is liquid under standard conditions).
2
Oxygen ( $\text{O}_2$ ): gas at room temperature. Table salt (NaCl): solid at room temperature.

Answer

\text{(a) liquid, (b) gas, (c) solid}

The state of a substance at room temperature depends on the strength of its intermolecular or ionic forces relative to thermal energy.

About State of Matter

The distinct physical forms that matter can take depending on the arrangement, spacing, and motion of its particles.

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