States of Matter

There are 3 main states of matter

1) Solid (s)
2) Liquid (l)
3) Gas (g)

State Changes

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States of Matter

States of matter are described based on 4 things:

1. Particle proximity - how close the particles are to each other
2. Compressibility - if the particles can be pushed (compressed) closer to each other
3. Definite/non definite shape
4. Definite/non definite volume

Solid

• Solid particles are very close together
• Particles are incompressible
• Solids have a definite shape
• Solids have a definite volume

Liquid

• Particles are not as close as those in a solid
• Particles are slightly compressible
• No definite shape
• Do have a definite volume

Gases

• Particles are very far apart
• Particles are very compressible
• No definite shape
• No definite volume

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