Three States of Matters
Matters can exist in three states. They are: solid, liquid and gas.
Solid
A solid has a definite shape, definite weight and volume.
A solid has mass, it occupies space and has a definite volume.
A solid cannot be compressed.
Liquid
A Liquid has definite mass, a definite volume but no definite shape.
A liquid has no definite shape and it takes the shape of its container.
A liquid has a definite volume and cannot be compressed.
Gas
A gas has no definite shape and it takes the shape of its container.
It has no definite volume and it takes the volume of the container in which it is kept.
Gas can be compressed.
The table below summarizes the characteristics of the three states of matters.
|
State of Matter |
|
Properties |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
has definite shape |
has definite volume |
can be compressed |
|
Solid |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Liquid |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Gas |
No |
No |
Yes |
The three states can change from one form to another, that is, a change of state can take place.
The State of water depends on its temperature.
