Three States of Matter

Three States of Matter

Solid

In a solid the particles are very close together. Because there is very little space between particles, they can’t be squeezed any closer together. This gives a solid a definite volume and shape. It also keeps particles in a solid from moving very much. In fact, they are packed together so tightly that each particle stays in the same place and just vibrates.

Liquid

Particles are not packed together as tightly in a liquid, so they move more freely than they do in a solid. This allows a liquid to flow and take the shape of its container. You can see the motion of particles in a liquid by placing a drop of dye in a glass of water. As the particles bump into one another, the dye slowly spreads through the water.

Gas

The particles in a gas are packed together the least. Because the particles are freer to move around in gases than in solids or liquids, gas particles move the fastest. Like a liquid, a gas flows and takes the shape of its container. But the density of particles in a gas is so low that an increase in pressure can move the particles closer together. If the pressure is high enough, a gas becomes a liquid.

√In which state of matter are the particles closest together? Farthest apart?