The three classical states of matter are:
- Solid : In solids, particles are closely packed together in a fixed arrangement. Solids have a definite shape and volume, and their particles vibrate but do not move freely. This gives solids a stable shape that does not change unless acted upon by an external force
- Liquid : Liquids have particles that are close together but can move around each other, allowing liquids to flow and take the shape of their container. Liquids have a definite volume but no fixed shape
- Gas : Gas particles are widely spaced and move quickly in all directions. Gases have neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume and will expand to fill any container. They are highly compressible due to the large spaces between particles
These three states differ primarily in the arrangement and movement of their particles, which explains their distinct physical properties
. While there are other states of matter such as plasma and Bose-Einstein condensates, the three most commonly recognized states are solid, liquid, and gas
. In summary:
State| Particle Arrangement| Shape| Volume
---|---|---|---
Solid| Closely packed, fixed| Definite| Definite
Liquid| Close but free to move| Takes container's shape| Definite
Gas| Widely spaced, fast moving| Takes container's shape| Variable
This classification helps explain everyday observations like ice (solid), water (liquid), and steam (gas)
