Main Concepts

Matter is anything that has mass, or takes up space.

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All matter is comprised of particles.

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Particles are constantly moving.

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Every substance can be a solid, liquid or gas, but at different temperatures.​

State of Matter is a Physical Property.

When the state of matter changes, the actual substance doesn't change, only the form changes.

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Water and ice are made up of the same molecules, it just changes form.

Each State of Matter is defined by how their particles behave.

How close the molecules are to one another, and how quickly they move determine what state of matter a substance is in.

There are 4 states of matter.

1. solid

2. liquid

3. gas

4. plasma

Solid

• Particles packed tightly together (dense)

• Atoms vibrate in a fixed position.

• Have a definite shape, as well as mass and volume

• Particles have low kinetic energy (energy of movement)

Liquid

• Particles are more loosely packed than a solid

• Not easily compressible.

• Particles flow around each other

• Indefinite shape

• Definite Volume

Gas

• Particles have lots of space between them and high kinetic energy

• Easily compressed

• Indefinite Shape & Indefinite Volume

Gas

Liquid on the other hand...

In a liquid, the particles are already close together, so it is not easily compressed.

Gas

A gas has no definite shape or volume. If unconfined, the particles of a gas will spread out indefinitely. However, if confined, the gas will expand to fill its container.

Plasma

• Uncommon on Earth (lightning)

  • most common state of matter in the universe. (Stars)

• Highly charged gas particles

• High kinetic energy

Think of plasma as gas, with an electrical charge.