Solids, liquids and gases

In a nutshell

There are three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases. Materials can be grouped into these categories.

States of matter

Matter is anything that can take up space and has a weight. There are three states of matter; solids, liquids and gases. Materials can be grouped in different states of matter depending on their properties.

state of matter	description	Examples	Image
Solid	Objects with a fixed volume and shape. Materials are tough and can be easily held.	Plastics Metals Sand Wood Glass
Liquid	Materials that flow and can be poured. They have a fixed volume but not fixed shape.	Water Milk Juice Honey
Gas	Free flowing materials that spread out very easily, without a fixed volume or shape.	Oxygen Steam Helium Hydrogen

Example

From the options below, select the materials that have a liquid state of matter.

'Brick, hydrogen, paper, tea, oxygen, water, silver, ice, air, lemonade.'

Liquid state of matter - Tea, water, lemonade