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What are the states of matter?

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Quick answer

The states of matter are the forms that substances take — most commonly solid, liquid, and gas (plus plasma). They differ in how tightly their particles are packed and how freely they move, and substances shift between them with temperature and pressure.

Key things to understand

  1. The main states are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
  2. They differ in how particles are arranged and move.
  3. Solids hold shape; liquids flow; gases spread out.
  4. Heating or cooling shifts matter between states.

People also ask

What are the states of matter?
Primarily solid, liquid, and gas, with plasma as a fourth — differing in how their particles are arranged.
What makes matter change state?
Changes in temperature and pressure, which alter how much energy the particles have.
What is plasma?
A superheated, charged gas — the most common state of matter in the universe, found in stars.

Part of the guide: Everyday Science: Light, Heat & Matter →