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The three primary states of matter are the result of a
competition between thermal energy and intermolecular forces. [Tabor,
xix]
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[B]y assuming the existence of attractive an repulsive forces
between atoms and molecules and the presence of thermal energy, it is
possible to explain nearly all the bulk properties of gases, liquids
and solids in terms of relatively simple models. [Tabor, pg xv]
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The main theme is that the three primary states of matter
are the result of a competition between thermal energy and
intermolecular forces. The second motif is that a whole range of
properties e.g. the specific heat capacity of solids, the thermal
conductivity of nonmetals, the elastic modulus of rubber, thermal
expansion, surface tension, the viscosity of gases and liquids,
osmotic pressure, the adiabaticity of sound waves in air, the
dielectric properties of gases, liquids and solids, van der Waals
forces between solid bodies, the hardness of metals, may be understood
in terms of simple models and unsophisticated
mathematics. [Tabor, pg xiii]
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