What are Solids, Liquids, and Gases? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts

What are Solids, Liquids, and Gases?

Matter is made up of atoms and molecules. Millions of millions of these tiny objects fit together to form larger things like animals, planets, and cars. Matter includes the water we drink, the air we breathe and the chair we sit on.

States or Phases

Matter usually exists in one of three states or phases: solid, liquid, or gas. The chair you sit on is a solid, the water you drink is a liquid, and the air you breathe is a gas.

Changing State

The atoms and molecules don’t change, but the way they move does. For example, water is always made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. However, it can be in liquid, solid (ice) and gaseous (vapour) states. Matter changes state when energy is added to it. Energy is usually added in the form of heat or pressure.

Water

Solid water is known as ice. It is the water with the lowest energy and temperature. When in a solid state, the water molecules are tightly bound together and do not move easily.

Liquid water is simply known as water. As the ice warms, it changes phase into liquid water. Liquid molecules are looser and can move easily.

Gas water is known as steam or steam. When water boils, it turns into steam. These molecules are hotter, more liquid, and move faster than liquid molecules. They are further apart and can be compressed or crushed.

More States

In fact, there are two other states or stages in which matter can take place, but we don’t see them much in everyday life.

One is known as plasma. Plasma occurs at very high temperatures and can be found in stars and lightning. Plasma is like a gas, but the molecules have lost electrons and become ions.

Another state with the fanciful name of the Bose-Einstein condensate. This condition can occur at very low temperatures.

Fun Facts about Solids, Liquids, Gases

Gases are usually invisible and have the shape and volume of their container.

The air we breathe is made up of different gases, but mainly nitrogen and oxygen.

We can see through some solids like glass. When liquid gasoline is burned in a car, it turns into various gases that enter the air through the exhaust.

Fire is a mixture of hot gases.

By far, plasma is the most abundant state of matter in the universe because stars are mainly made up of plasma.