Properties of the three states of matter
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Electricity
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Pure and impure substances
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States of matter
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Explainer Video
Summary
Properties of the three states of matter
In a nutshell
The three states of matter will behave differently depending on their particle arrangement and the attraction between neighbouring particles.
States of matter
There are three states of matter - solids, liquids and gases. All materials will be in one of these forms and they are made from particles.
Examples
solids | liquids | gases |
| Paper | Water | Air |
| Wood | Milk | Helium |
| Plastic | Juice | Oxygen |
 |
|
The type of material it is and its properties influences its arrangement of these particles and how well they stick together. How well particles stick together depends on three things:
| 1. | Type of material |
| 2. | Temperature |
| 3. | Pressure |
Examples
- When pressure is applied to gases they can become liquid.
- When heat is applied to solids they may become liquid. This is demonstrated when solid ice becomes liquid water when heated.
Properties
Definition
Properties of a substance refers to how they behave; solids, liquids and gases can be distinguished based on their properties
state of matter | type of property | ||||
volume | shape | density | compressiblity | flow | |
| Solid | Fixed volume | Fixed shape | High | Not easily compressed | Does not flow |
| Liquid | Fixed volume | No fixed shape - takes the shape of any container | Medium | Not easily compressed | Flows easily |
| Gas | No fixed volume - fills any shaped container | No fixed shape - becomes the shape of the container | Very low | Easily compressed | Flows easily |
Some of the states of matter have similar properties to each other.
Example
Name the only state of matter with a fixed shape.
Solids are the only state of matter with a fixed shape.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Which state of matter is the hardest to compress?
Solids are the hardest state of matter to compress, as they have a fixed shape and fixed volume.
Which states of matter do not have a fixed shape?
Liquids and gases do not have a fixed shape. They are free to take the shape of any container they are in.
Why do the three states of matter have different properties?
The three states of matter have different properties as each state has a different arrangement of particles.