Question

What are the three physical states in which matter may exist?

Short answer

The three physical states in which matter may exist are solid, liquid, and gas. In the solid state, particles are tightly packed in a fixed arrangement with definite shape and volume. In the liquid state, particles are close together but not fixed, taking the shape of the container while maintaining fixed volume. In the gas state, particles move freely and are widely separated, taking the shape and volume of the container, and are easily compressible.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the first physical state of matter

The first physical state of matter is a solid. In this state, particles are tightly packed together in a fixed arrangement. Solids have a definite shape and volume.

Identifying the second physical state of matter

The second physical state of matter is a liquid. In this state, particles are close together but are not in a fixed arrangement. Liquids take the shape of the container they are in while maintaining a fixed volume.

Identifying the third physical state of matter

The third physical state of matter is a gas. In this state, particles move freely and are widely separated. Gases take the shape and volume of the container they are in. They may be easily compressible. So, the three physical states in which matter may exist are solid, liquid, and gas.

Key concepts

Solid

In the solid state, matter is characterized by particles packed closely together in a fixed, rigid arrangement. This tight packing allows solids to maintain both a defined shape and volume, meaning they don't change easily under everyday conditions.
Solids have unique features that make them distinct:

• Definite Shape: Unlike liquids and gases, a solid's shape doesn’t vary when placed in a container. A cube of ice, for example, will remain cube-shaped regardless of the container.
• Fixed Volume: Solids occupy a specific amount of space. Squeezing or compressing them requires considerable force.

The compactness of particles results in limited movement, only allowing vibrations. Because of this, solids are often strong and resistant to outside forces. Think of a rock that withstands pressure or a wooden table that retains its form when you place items on it.

Liquid

Liquids are a fascinating state of matter, known for their ability to adapt their shape according to their container while retaining a specific volume. This flexibility comes from the arrangement of their particles.
Within liquids:

• Shape Adaptability: Liquids take on the shape of any space they occupy. Pouring water into a mug, for instance, results in water fitting exactly to the mug's interior.
• Maintained Volume: Although liquids can change shape, their volume remains unchanged. Whether you pour a cup of milk into a saucepan or a glass, the quantity stays the same.

The moderate spacing between liquid particles allows them to flow or move around each other, giving rise to properties like fluidity and viscosity. This state is prevalent in daily life, from the beverages we drink to the water we use.

Gas

Gases exhibit the most freedom among the states of matter. The particles in a gas are widely separated and move independently, allowing gases to expand to fill their container completely.
Here’s what you need to know about gases:

• Shapelessness: Gases do not have a definite shape, conforming instead to the shape of their container, much like a balloon filled with air.
• Volume Expansion: Unlike solids and liquids, gases have no fixed volume and spread to occupy any available space. If you puncture a balloon, the air spreads out into the room.
• Compressibility: Gases can be compressed quite significantly. This characteristic is why air, for instance, can be forced into smaller spaces like a bike tire.

These dynamic properties of gases also mean they mix easily and can disperse quickly, such as scents traveling through the air. They create an expansive and ever-movable environment.