Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. It is the "stuff" that makes up the universe, and it can exist in different states: solid, liquid, or gas.
Properties of Matter
Matter has various properties that help us identify and classify it. These properties include:
Solid: In a solid, the particles are tightly packed together and vibrate in place. Solids have a definite shape and volume.
Liquid: In a liquid, the particles are still close together, but they can move around each other. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
Gas: In a gas, the particles are far apart and move freely. Gases have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume.
Use models (e.g., diagrams, maps, globes, digital representations) to explain how the rotation of Earth and unequal heating of its surface create patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.