States of matter
What are States of Matter?
A state of matter tells us how particles (tiny pieces of matter) are arranged and how they move.
There are three main states of matter:
1. Solid
In a solid, particles are:
Packed very closely together
Strongly attracted to each other
Only able to vibrate in one place
Shape:
Fixed shape
Volume
Fixed volume
Example:
Ice, stone, book
When water freezes into ice, it becomes a solid!
2. Liquid
In a liquid, particles are:
Close together
Able to slide past each other
Not fixed in one position
Shape
No fixed shape (takes the shape of its container) Volume:
Fixed volume
Example:
Water, milk, oil
When ice melts, it becomes liquid water.
3. Gas
In a gas, particles are:
Very far apart
Moving very fast
Weakly attracted to each other
Shape:
No fixed shape
Volume:
No fixed volume
Example:
Air, oxygen, steam
When water boils, it becomes steam (a gas).
Changes Between States
Melting – Solid -Liquid
Freezing – Liquid -Solid
Evaporation/Boiling – Liquid - Gas
Condensation – Gas - Liquid
These changes happen because of heat energy!