Lesson 4.1 - States Of Matter

3 states of matter

There are 3 main states of matter:

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

Solids

In a solid, the particles:

• Are very close together (touching)

• Are arranged in a regular pattern

• Vibrate around a fixed point

• Cannot move or slide past each other

Solids cannot be compressed.

They expand when heated.

Liquids

In a liquid, the particles:

• Are very close together (touching)

• Are not arranged in a pattern ('random')

• Can slide past each other

• Cannot completely move freely (only slide past other particles)

Liquids also cannot be compressed.

Gases

In a gas, the particles:

• Are far apart from each other

• Are 'all over the place' (no pattern)

• Can move about freely

Gases can be compressed. They are the only state of matter that has this property.

Particle theory

The states of matter (as well as state conversion) can be understood using particle theory.

This is an area of chemistry / physics that looks as how particles interact in the way that they do.

In this topic, we will explore particle physics and how it relates to chemistry.