Let’s Learn About States of Matter
How do you know if something is a solid, liquid or gas?
Goal:
Goal:
You know there are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and
gas. They are all made up of particles. Particles are tiny
pieces of matter. These particles look different when they are
in different states of matter. The particles can help you tell
the difference between solids, liquids, and gases.
Click the word solid, liquid, or gas below
to see how the particles look and an example of each state of
matter.
A solid does not change its form on its own. Look at a book or a block: it is solid and does not change unless something works on it. For example, a page can be torn out of a book, or a block can be chipped. Solids are more stubborn matter than a liquid or a gas.
Description:
The particles of a solid are very close together.
They have their own shape.
Example:
Solids are easy to see and touch. Look around.
Chairs, tables, and toys are all solids.
A liquid takes the form of whatever container it is in, such as water in a glass. Pour the same water from a glass to a bowl and see how the liquid changes shape to fit its container. Unlike gas, a liquid fills from the bottom of the container and does not spread out. Liquids change shape to fit the container that holds them.
Description:
The particles of a liquid are farther apart than the
particles of a solid. They are closer together than
the particles of a gas. Liquids take on the shape of
the container they are in.
Example:
Liquids are easy to see and touch too. You can pour
them into containers. See how this paint changes
shape from the bucket to the tray?
Matter that is a gas is like the air we breathe. A gas is often invisible and spreads out to fill whatever contains it as much as possible. Gas moves far and wide and fills up the space it is in.
Description:
The particles of a gas are spread far apart and have no shape of their own.
Example:
Helium is an example of a gas. Some balloons are filled with helium.
Question
How are liquids different from solids?
Liquids take the shape of their container, and solids have their own shape. Particles of solids are very close together, and particles of liquids are farther apart.