Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

In which phase of matter do particles vibrate but don't move past each other?

1. Solid

2. Liquid

3. Gas

4. Plasma

The correct answer is: Solid

In the solid phase of matter, particles are closely packed together and primarily vibrate around fixed positions. This means that while they may move slightly in response to added energy, they do not have the freedom to flow or move past one another like in liquids or gases. This arrangement gives solids a definite shape and volume. In contrast, liquids allow particles to slide past one another, which gives them the ability to take the shape of their container while maintaining a constant volume. Gases have particles that are much farther apart and move freely, filling the available space. Plasma consists of charged particles that have enough energy to overcome the attractive forces between them, resulting in a state where they can move independently. Thus, the unique vibrational movement of particles in solids compared to other phases confirms that this is the correct answer.