States of Matter

Everything around us is made up of matter. Matter exists in different states - solid, liquid, and gas. These states depend on the arrangement and movement of the particles that make up the matter.

Solid

In the solid state, particles are tightly packed and have a fixed shape and volume. They vibrate, but do not move around very much. Solids maintain their shape unless a force is applied to change it.

Liquid

Liquids have particles that are close together but can move past each other. This allows liquids to flow and take the shape of their container. They have a fixed volume, but not a fixed shape.

Gas

In the gas state, particles have a lot of energy and are far apart. They move freely and are not held together. Gases have no fixed shape or volume and will expand to fill the space available to them.

Changes in States of Matter

Matter can change from one state to another by adding or removing energy. This process is called a phase change. For example, when a solid is heated, it may melt and become a liquid. If the liquid is heated further, it will turn into a gas.

Study Guide

1. What are the three states of matter?
2. How do particles move in a solid?
3. What allows liquids to flow and take the shape of their container?
4. Describe the movement of particles in a gas.
5. What is a phase change and how does it occur?

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