States of matter

 States of matter

How many states of matter are there?

There are four states of matter commonly found in the universe and on Earth. However, there are many more states of matter that are either man-made or very rarely found either on Earth or in the universe.

Are there 5 states of matter?

Yes, there are five (and more) states of matter. However, only four are commonly found on Earth and in the universe. The most common states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Many other states of matter exist (like degenerate matter, amorphous solids, and supercritical fluids), but they are rarely found in nature.

What are the three states of matter, and what are some examples of each state?

The three main states of matter commonly found naturally on Earth are:

solid - bricks, ice, wood, paper

liquid - milk, water, honey

gas - helium, hydrogen, oxygen, air

The best way to start a discussion on the states of matter is to answer the question, 'What is matter?' Matter is the material that makes up all things in the universe. In its smallest form it is unseeable, but as it combines it grows into atoms that become molecules that become everything in existence.

There are 4 states of matter, meaning matter can exist (or present) in four different ways in the universe. Matter can exist in the following forms:

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Plasma

Solids, liquids, and gases are found in abundance in nature on Earth. The characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases change over three common variables: volume, shape, and energy level of the matter.

Solid State of Matter & Solid Matter Examples

Matter has the least amount of inert energy when in a solid state of matter form. This is because when in solid form, the atoms that make up the object are very tightly packed together and exhibit very little, if any, movement (a molecular microscope can sometimes pick up very slight movement in the atomic level of a solid that is not apparent to the human eye). This tightly packed formation of the solid state of matter equates to high density for solids.

Solids have a definite shape and volume. Solid matter does not have mobile molecules, thus it must stay one shape and size until acted upon by an outside force. Due to this forced stillness in the molecules, a solid will always have a definite (measurable) volume and will maintain its own shape.

Imagine if bricks could change shape and volume at random. That would be disastrous. Which of the practice examples above has a constant shape and volume? Gold. Gold is an example of a metallic solid.

Liquid State of Matter & Liquid Matter Examples

While solids have little to no energy (movement), liquid states of matter have moderate energy, and atoms/molecules within a liquid do move. The word 'fluid' elicits the idea of movement and liquids are certainly fluid. Molecules in liquids are loosely packed together meaning they have moderate density.

In terms of volume, liquids do have a definitive volume, meaning it is possible to measure the volume of a liquid. However, they do not have a definite shape. Liquids take on the shape of whatever vessel they are in.