States of Matter
Definition
The states of matter refer to the distinct forms that different phases of matter take on. The four most common states are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
Analogy
Think about water. It can exist as ice (solid), water (liquid), or steam (gas). These are all the same substance but in different states.
Related terms
Solid: A state of matter characterized by particles arranged such that their shape and volume are relatively stable.
Liquid: A state of matter with a definite volume but no fixed shape.
Gas: A state of matter consisting of a collection of particles (molecules, atoms, ions) with no defined volume or shape.
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