Lesson 6 of 10
🧪 Matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas
What You'll Learn
- Identify the three states of matter and their properties
- Understand how heat energy changes state
- Name the transitions: melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation
The Three States of Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Almost all matter exists in three states:
- 🪮 Solid — fixed shape, fixed volume. Particles are tightly packed and vibrate in place. Example: ice, rock, wood.
- 💧 Liquid — no fixed shape, fixed volume. Particles flow past each other. Example: water, juice, mercury.
- 🏭 Gas — no fixed shape, no fixed volume. Particles spread out and fill any container. Example: water vapor, air, helium.
Changing States
Adding or removing heat energy causes matter to change state:
- 🔥 Melting: solid → liquid (add heat)
- ❄ Freezing: liquid → solid (remove heat)
- ☔ Evaporation: liquid → gas (add heat)
- 💧 Condensation: gas → liquid (remove heat)
- 🏭 Sublimation: solid → gas directly (example: dry ice)
🧪 Virtual Lab: States of Matter Simulator
Drag the temperature slider to see water change between solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam). Watch the molecules move!
❄ Cold
🔥 Hot
30°C
Quick Check
When liquid water turns to ice, this process is called:
What is true about gas particles compared to solid particles?