MATTER

WHAT IS MATTER?; STATES OF MATTER

Matter: physical material of the Universe; anything that has mass and occupies space

Gases, liquids, solids, and plasma are all made up of microscopic particles, but the behaviors of these particles differ in the four phases.

Solid:

• Fixed volume and shape
• Rigid, cannot be compressed
• Ex: Ice, Rocks, Table, Book, Chair

 Liquid:

• Distant volume, but no specific shape
• Assumes the shape of the container that it occupies
• Ex: Iced Tea, Water, Milk, Orange Juice, Magma

 Gas:

• No fixed volume or shape
• Assumes the shape and volume of its container
• Ex: Steam, Air, Helium, Neon, Carbon Monoxide