These questions probe pupils’ ability to apply the particle model of matter (and its elaboration into the atomic/molecular model of matter) to examples of the behaviour of matter, including physical and chemical change.
Q1 tests pupils’ ability to recognise the standard representations of solids, liquids and gases, as well as their recall of the terms of changes of state.
Qs2-4 probe pupils ability to link statements about particles to observed behaviours of solids, liquids and gases.
Q5 suggests a way of probing pupils’ ability to make sense of (and to read meaning into) common textbook representations of particle models). You could apply this idea to other textbook images if you wish.
Q6 is a version of a question used by many researchers to probe understanding of the particle model of a gas.
Qs7-10 are about the atomic/molecular model of matter and of chemical change. These ideas provide pupils with a means of explaining the difference between a physical and a chemical change.