States of Matter
In chemistry, matter can exist in three principal states: solid, liquid, and gas. These states are defined by the arrangement and energy of their constituent particles.
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Solids: In solids, particles are closely packed in a fixed, orderly arrangement. This close packing results in solids having both a definite shape and volume. For example, a block of ice maintains its shape unless physically altered.
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Liquids: In contrast, particles in a liquid are still close together but can move around each other freely. This means that liquids occupy a definite volume; however, they do not have a fixed shape and take the shape of their container. For instance, water will take the shape of a glass if poured into it.
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Gases: Here, particles are far apart and move independently of each other. Gases have neither a definite shape nor a fixed volume; they expand to fill the space of their container. An example is the air in a balloon, which expands when the balloon is inflated.
The transition between these states can occur via changes in temperature or pressure, such as when ice melts into water or water vaporizes into steam. Understanding the fundamental characteristics of these states is critical in chemistry as they influence the behavior and properties of substances.