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

Science; States of matter; KS3 Year 7; Properties of the three states of matter

1.	Solid
2.	Liquid
3.	Gas

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
state of matter	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.