Skip to main content
Back

States of Matter definitions

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/13
  • Solid
    A form with fixed shape and volume, where particles are locked in place and resist movement unless force is applied.
  • Liquid
    A form that adapts to the shape but not necessarily the volume of its container, with particles moving freely but still close together.
  • Gas
    A form that takes both the shape and volume of its container, with particles spread far apart and moving rapidly.
  • Compressibility
    The capacity of a substance to decrease in size when pressure is applied, highest in gases and lowest in solids.
  • Viscosity
    The resistance a substance offers to flow or change in shape; higher values mean slower movement.
  • Physical Property
    A characteristic such as appearance or state that can be observed without changing the substance's identity.
  • Container
    An object that determines the possible shape and, for gases, the volume a substance can occupy.
  • Molecule
    A group of atoms bonded together, whose arrangement and movement differ in solids, liquids, and gases.
  • Volume
    The amount of three-dimensional space a substance occupies, which can be fixed or variable depending on the state.
  • Shape
    The external form or outline of a substance, which may be maintained or adapted based on its state.
  • Pressure
    A force applied to a substance that can alter its size, especially noticeable in gases due to their high compressibility.
  • Resistance to Flow
    A measure of how difficult it is for a substance to move or change shape, closely related to viscosity.
  • Phase
    A distinct form in which matter can exist, such as solid, liquid, or gas, each with unique properties.