Solid

A solid is one of the fundamental states of matter. It has a definite shape and volume, and its particles are tightly packed together in a regular arrangement.

Properties of Solids

Definite Shape: Solids have a fixed shape and do not conform to the shape of their container.
Definite Volume: The volume of a solid remains constant, regardless of the container it is placed in.
Tightly Packed Particles: The particles in a solid are held together by strong forces of attraction, resulting in a fixed position and a regular arrangement.
Limited Compressibility: Solids are difficult to compress due to the close arrangement of particles.
High Density: Solids have a high density due to the close packing of particles.
Low Fluidity: Solids do not flow and have low fluidity, meaning they maintain their shape under applied forces.

Examples of Solids

Common examples of solids include:

Types of Solids

Solids can be classified into different types based on the arrangement of particles:

Crystalline Solids: These have a regular, repeating pattern of particles, resulting in a well-defined geometric shape. Examples include salt and sugar.
Amorphous Solids: These lack a regular, repeating pattern of particles and do not have a well-defined geometric shape. Examples include glass and plastic.

Changes in State

Solids can undergo changes in state under specific conditions:

Melting: When heat is applied, a solid can change into a liquid through the process of melting.
Freezing: When heat is removed, a liquid can change into a solid through the process of freezing.
Sublimation: Some solids can change directly into a gas without passing through the liquid state through the process of sublimation. Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) is an example of a substance that undergoes sublimation.