States of matter
- mariahergar14
- Mar 7, 2023
- 2 min read
If we look at matter around us, we can see that almost everything can be classified into one of the following types:
Matter has three main forms called STATES. These three states are: SOLID, LIQUID and GAS.
SOLIDS have a definite mass, shape and volume.
LIQUIDS have a definite mass, and volume, but not a definite shape. They take the shape of the container they´re in.
GASES have a definite mass, but not a definite shape or volume. Gases take the shape of the container they are in, and occupy their total volume.
What about sand? Is sand a liquid or a solid?
There are other states of matter, such as plasma or liquid crystal.
PLASMA: Plasma is similar to gas, but the particles which make up the matter have an electrical charge. Starts are an example of plasma.
LIQUID CRYSTAL: Some liquid substances are formed by particles which are positioned in the same direction. The orientation of these particles changes when the temperature changes. This changes the colour of the substance.
These substances are used to make LCD (liquid crystal displays) in mobile phones, calculators, digital cameras, etc.
KINETIC THEORY
As we already know, the properties of a solid are different from the properties of a liquid or gas.
Scientists devised the KINETIC THEORY to explain why matter has different properties according to its state.
MATTER is formed by VERY SMALL PARTICLES that are more or less joined together, depending on the state of the matter at that moment.
PARTICLES MOVE. The faster they move, the higher the temperature of the matter.
Each state of matter has different properties due to how particles are organised:
In SOLIDS particles are very close together. They do not move: they have a fixed position. In some solids particles are arranged more regularly, in special geometric shapes.
In LIQUIDS particles are close together (no as close as in solids). They can move and change their position. Liquids can flow and TAKE ANY SHAPE.
In GASES particles are far apart from each other. They move freely and very quickly. They occupy all the space available and do not have a definite shape or volume.
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