What are the three
states of matter?
Matter is everything around
you. On Earth, matter
is usually found in one
of three states, or phases.
The three main states of
matter are solid, liquid,
and gas.
Solids have definite shapes
and volumes. Particles
of solids are more tightly
packed than other states
of matter. A liquid
has a definite volume,
but takes the shape of
its container. Particles
of liquids are not as tightly
packed as solids.
Gas particles are widely
spaced apart compared to
solids or liquids. A
gas has no definite shape
or volume and will expand
to fill its container.
Temperature changes materials
from one state of matter
to another. Heated
solids melt into liquids.
Heated liquids evaporate
into gases.
Cooled gases condense into
liquids. Cooled liquids
freeze into solids.
There are many other states
of matter, but these are the
most common. |
