Chapter 4 - States of Matter

Chapter 4 - States of Matter

The motion of particles helps to explain the phases (states) of matter.   

molecules of solid            molecules of liquid                     molecules of gas

States of Matter

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.  Our food, drinks, homes, pens, and even our bodies are made up of matter.  There are three states or phases of matter that are important to us: solids, liquids, and gases.

Solid water = ice             Liquid water = fluid water   Gaseous water = water vapor

Solids

1.    Solids can turn into liquids.

2.   Solids have a definite shape.

3.   Solids have a definite volume.

Liquids

1.   Liquids have a definite volume.

2.   Liquids do not have a definite shape; they take the shape of their container.

3.   Liquids can turn into either a solid or liquids can turn into a gas.

Gases

1.   Gases can turn into liquids.

2.   Gases do not have a definite shape.

3.   Gases do not have a definite volume.

4.   Most gases are invisible.