Understanding Matter
Matter is everything around us that has mass and occupies space. It exists in various states known as phases, which include solid, liquid, and gas.
The Three Phases of Matter
- Solid: In the solid state, particles are closely packed together and have a fixed shape and volume.
- Liquid: In the liquid state, particles are close together but can move past each other. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
- Gas: In the gas state, particles are far apart and move freely. Gases have neither definite shape nor volume and expand to fill their container.
Phase Changes
Phase changes occur when matter transitions from one state to another due to changes in temperature and pressure:
- Melting: Solid to liquid.
- Freezing: Liquid to solid.
- Evaporation: Liquid to gas (at the surface).
- Condensation: Gas to liquid.
- Sublimation: Solid to gas (without passing through the liquid phase).
- Deposition: Gas to solid (without passing through the liquid phase).
