Written and Illustrated by Phillip MartinPhillip Martin

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Chemistry is the study of matter and its interactions. The Four States of Matter are Solids, Liquids, Gas and Plasma.

Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma Basis of Classification of the Four States of Matter - particle arrangement - energy of particles - distance between particles

Solids have a definite shape and volume. They keep their size and shape without the need of a container. The particles of solids are tightly packed. Solids Solids can be big or small, hard or soft, but they hold their shape.

Solids There is little free space between the particles in a solid. That is why they are not easily compressed. Solids do not flow easily like gases or liquids because the particles do not move or slide past each other.

Liquids have an indefinite shape but they have a very definite volume. Because there is little free space between the particles, liquids are not easily compressed. Liquids

The particles of liquids are tightly packed, but they are still far enough apart to slide over one another. Because the particles can slide past one another, liquids easily flow.. Liquids

The particles that form gases are very far apart and move around freely. Gases have both an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume because their particles can easily move past each other. Gases

Gases flow easily. The particles of gases randomly move past one another. Gases are easily compressed because there is a great deal of free space between particles.

Many sources say there are only three states of matter, but there are really four. The fourth state is plasma. And, plasma is the most abundant state of matter in the universe! Plasma Plasma is an ionized gas with indefinite shape and volume.

Plasma is similar to gas but their atoms are different. Plasma has free electrons and ions (an atom or molecule that has lost an electron). Plasma Electrons in Plasma are freed from the central nucleus when enough heat is applied.

Plasma With all of the positively and negatively charged particles, plasma interacts strongly with both electric and magnetic fields. Since there is a lot of space between particles, Plasmas are easily compressed.

Plasma Examples All stars and 99% of the visible universe are made of plasma. It can also be found in the aurora borealis, lightening, neon signs as well as fluorescent light bulbs.

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