Question

Give an example of matter in each phase: solid, liquid, or gas.

Short answer

Solid: ice, Liquid: water, Gas: oxygen.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Solid Matter

Solid matter is characterized by having a definite shape and volume. Particles in solids are tightly packed and only vibrate in place. An example of solid matter is ice.

Identify Liquid Matter

Liquid matter has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container. The particles in a liquid are less tightly packed than in a solid and can move around each other fluidly. An example of liquid matter is water.

Identify Gas Matter

Gas matter has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. The particles are far apart and move freely. An example of gas matter is oxygen.

Key concepts

solid matter

Solid matter is one of the three basic states of matter. It is characterized by its ability to maintain a definite shape and volume, meaning it doesn't conform to the shape of its container. This is because the particles within a solid are tightly packed together and primarily vibrate in place without moving freely.

Imagine ice cubes in a tray: they maintain their structure regardless of the container they are in. This occurs because the atoms or molecules don't have enough energy to move out of their fixed positions, which is why solids are often very rigid.

Some important features of solid matter include:

• Definite Shape: Solids retain their shape until an external force is applied.
• Definite Volume: The volume of a solid remains constant, making them incompressible.
• Strong Intermolecular Forces: These contribute to the structural integrity and resistance to taking a new shape or size.

liquid matter

Liquid matter is a fascinating state of matter characterized by its ability to conform to the shape of its container while retaining its volume. Unlike solids, the particles in liquids are not held as tightly together, which allows them to move around each other.

Think about water in a glass: it fills the bottom of the glass, taking its shape but not expanding to fill the glass entirely. This is because the molecules have more energy than in solids, allowing them to slide past each other but still remain close due to moderate intermolecular forces.

Key properties of liquid matter include:

• Indefinite Shape: Liquids take on the shape of their container but do not have a fixed shape of their own.
• Definite Volume: The volume of a liquid is fixed, which prevents it from being compressed significantly.
• Ability to Flow: The fluidity of liquids makes them versatile in their applications and use in daily life.

gas matter

Gas matter refers to a state where particles are much farther apart than in solids and liquids, giving gases some unique properties. This is because gas particles move freely and rapidly in all directions, filling the entire volume of their container and spreading out to occupy the available space.

Consider oxygen in the air: it doesn't settle at the bottom of a room but distributes evenly throughout the space, showing how gases lack a definite shape and volume. The energy levels among gas particles are high, causing them to overcome almost all intermolecular forces.

Essential characteristics of gas matter include:

• Indefinite Shape: Gases take the shape of the container, spreading to fit it entirely.
• Indefinite Volume: Gases expand to fill any container, meaning their volume changes based on the container.
• Easily Compressible: Due to the large spaces between particles, gases can be compressed significantly under pressure.