States of Matter
Matter exists in 3 physical states: solid, liquid & gas.
Solid has fixed volume, fixed shape, & cannot be compressed.
- Solid particles are packed very closely together in an orderly manner.
- Solid particles can only vibrate at their fixed positions.
- There are strong forces of attraction between the solid particles.
Liquid has fixed volume, no fixed shape (follows the shape of the container), & cannot be compressed.
- Liquid particles are packed together but not in an orderly manner, there are some empty spaces between the liquid particles.
- Liquid particles are free to move throughout the liquid.
- There are strong forces of attraction between the liquid particles. The forces of attraction between liquid particles are weaker than those in solid particles.
Gas has no fixed volume & no fixed shape (follows the volume & shape of the container). Gas can be compressed easily.
- Gas particles are very far apart from each other, there are many empty spaces between the gas particles.
- Gas particles can move freely & randomly at all directions.
- There are very weak forces of attraction between the gas particles.