Question

A sample of matter that is “rigid” has (stronger/weaker) forces among the particles in the sample than does a sample that is not rigid.

Short answer

A sample of matter that is "rigid" has stronger forces among the particles in the sample than does a sample that is not rigid. This is because stronger forces among particles lead to increased rigidity and resistance to deformation.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Rigidity

Rigidity refers to the resistance of a sample of matter to changes in its shape. A rigid material will not deform easily when external forces are applied to it, maintaining its shape and structure.

Forces among Particles

The forces among particles in a sample of matter determine the material's strength and behavior. In general, we can say that stronger forces among particles lead to more rigidity and resistance to deformation.

Relating Rigidity to Forces

Comparing rigid and non-rigid samples, we can conclude that a rigid sample has stronger forces among its particles compared to a non-rigid sample. This is because the stronger forces in the rigid sample make it more resistant to changes in its shape, resulting in increased rigidity.

Conclusion

Therefore, a sample of matter that is "rigid" has stronger forces among the particles in the sample than does a sample that is not rigid.

Key concepts

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are the attractive or repulsive forces between molecules. They are critical in determining the physical properties of substances, including the state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) and the temperature at which a substance changes states.

There are several different types of intermolecular forces, each with varying strengths. For example, we have

• Van der Waals forces, which include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonds.
• Ion-dipole interactions, which occur between ions and polar molecules.

Among these, hydrogen bonds are typically stronger than other Van der Waals forces, leading to a higher rigidity in materials where they are prevalent.

When analyzing a rigid sample, it typically contains stronger intermolecular forces that effectively hold the particles together in a fixed position, reducing the material's ability to flow or change shape under stress.

Material Strength

Material strength is a key concept in chemistry and materials science that relates to a material's ability to withstand an applied force without deformation or failure. It depends not only on intermolecular forces but also on atomic and molecular structures, chemical composition, and the way in which materials are processed.

In the context of rigidity, a material with high strength will maintain its structure and resist bending, stretching, or compressing when a force is applied.

For example, metals often display high material strength because of their metallic bonding, where electrons are shared and delocalized across a lattice of atoms, forming a 'sea' of electrons that binds the atoms together. Such materials are ideal for applications where rigidity is essential, like building structures or manufacturing tools.

Deformation Resistance

Deformation resistance is directly linked to a material's rigidity and describes its ability to resist changes in shape when subjected to stress. This property is of utmost importance in fields like engineering and construction, where it is crucial for materials to retain their shape under load to ensure structural integrity.

Materials with high deformation resistance are characterized by their strong intermolecular forces, as well as by the presence of crystal lattices or cross-linked polymer chains that provide a rigid framework. For instance, diamonds exhibit exceptional deformation resistance due to their strong covalent bonds and crystal lattice structure which make it among the hardest materials on Earth.

Understanding these characteristics can help guide the selection of materials for specific applications where maintaining shape and form under pressure is a necessity. Whether designing a bridge that must not bend under traffic or selecting a material for a high-pressure valve, deformation resistance is a key factor to consider.