# Compare the arrangement and movement of particles in a solid with those in a gas, and use these differences to explain why solids have a much higher density than gases.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Chemistry (0620) — 1.1 Solids, liquids and gases · Compare · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Particles in a solid are closely/tightly packed together (regular arrangement)
2. Particles in a gas are far apart / widely spaced / have large distances between them (random arrangement)
3. Particles in a solid only vibrate about fixed positions; particles in a gas move rapidly/freely in all directions
4. Because solid particles are closely packed, a given volume contains many more particles than the same volume of gas, so the mass (and therefore density) is much greater

## Key terms

- [density](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/density)
- [arrangement](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/arrangement)
- [particles](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/particles)
- [solid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/solid)
- [gas](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/gas)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Cambridge International IGCSE Chemistry (0620)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Compare" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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