2.5 States of Matter

Understand how matter can be changed by physical means and chemical means.

Study Guide

Explain each Concept

è The states of matter are the physical forms in which a substance can exist.

è The four most familiar states are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

è All matter is made of atoms and molecules that attract each other.

è A solid has a definite shape and volume.

è A liquid has a definite volume but not a definite shape.

è A gas does not have a definite shape or volume.

è A gas takes the shape and volume of its container.

è Plasmas are composed of particles that have broken apart.

è Plasmas do not have a definite shape or volume.