States of Matter

States of Matter Matter exists in various physical states. These states are determined by the amount of movement the matter’s particles have. The states of matter are the actual physical forms in which substances exist. The four major stataes of matter are solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.

Particles of Matter Matter is made of tiny, tiny particles called atoms and molecules. Matter’s particles are always in motion, and consequently are bumping into each other. How these particles interact with each other determines the state of matter. The amount of movement or interaction is indicated by the substance’s temperature. Only when a change in state has been completed does the temperature of the substance actually change.

Solids A solid is the state of matter which has a definite shape and volume. The particles in a solid are very close to each other so the attraction between the particles is stronger in a solid than in any other state. The particles in a solid have low energy. They do not move around, they simply vibrate in place. There are two types of solids. Crystalline-has an orderly arrangement of particles Amorphous-has a random arrangement of particles.