What is matter?
Matter is anything that has weight or mass and occupies space. Matter has the form of solid, liquid, or gas. Because it occupies space, matter has volume.
SOLID
A solid is matter that is composed of particles that are held so tightly or bonded so tightly that the solid material keeps its shape most of the time. When stress is applied, the solid can be deformed, however.
Examples of solid matter:
soil, wood, grass, rocks, minerals, metals, bones, living animal
FLUIDS
Fluids are matter that is held together much looser than solids and do not have a certain shape. In other words, the fluids change shape very easily based on gravity or the presence of a confining space.
Examples of fluids include liquids and gases.
LIQUIDS
A liquid is a type of fluid in which the component particles are loosely bonded together yet stay together and take the shape of the container in which it occupies. Gravity keeps the liquid inside the container and a flat surface is produced.
Examples of liquid matter:
water, gasoline, juice, milk
GASES
Gases are fluids in which the component particles are even looser and less bonded than liquids, lighter than liquids, and generally expand outward in all directions to fill the container in which it is occupied.
Examples of gaseous matter:
water vapor, oxygen, air, helium, natural gas
PLASMA
Scientists have identified a new type of matter known as plasma, which is a mixture between liquid and gas. This material is found in lightning, in addition to above the earth's atmosphere, and around the sun.
SOLID
A solid is matter that is composed of particles that are held so tightly or bonded so tightly that the solid material keeps its shape most of the time. When stress is applied, the solid can be deformed, however.
Examples of solid matter:
soil, wood, grass, rocks, minerals, metals, bones, living animal
FLUIDS
Fluids are matter that is held together much looser than solids and do not have a certain shape. In other words, the fluids change shape very easily based on gravity or the presence of a confining space.
Examples of fluids include liquids and gases.
LIQUIDS
A liquid is a type of fluid in which the component particles are loosely bonded together yet stay together and take the shape of the container in which it occupies. Gravity keeps the liquid inside the container and a flat surface is produced.
Examples of liquid matter:
water, gasoline, juice, milk
GASES
Gases are fluids in which the component particles are even looser and less bonded than liquids, lighter than liquids, and generally expand outward in all directions to fill the container in which it is occupied.
Examples of gaseous matter:
water vapor, oxygen, air, helium, natural gas
PLASMA
Scientists have identified a new type of matter known as plasma, which is a mixture between liquid and gas. This material is found in lightning, in addition to above the earth's atmosphere, and around the sun.
