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Phases of Matter

Animation 1: Three Phases of Matter

While ice, water and steam look and feel very different, they are all made out of the same particles. The particles in a solid act very different from those in a liquid or gas. This affects both the volumes and shapes of the different phases.

Watch this video to find out more about differences between solids, liquids and gases. As you watch the segment, pay special attention to how the particles act in the different phases of matter. You might want to check the definitions of specific terms as you go.

Stop the animation at any time, watch it again, or read the transcript.

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Three Phases of Matter Transcript
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Imagine a cool glass of soda on a hot day. Besides being refreshing, what you have in your hand is an example of the three main phases of matter. Solid, liquid & gas (bubbles).

These phases of matter are the different ways atoms or molecules can physically behave depending on the amount of energy present.

Molecules with low energy are in a solid state. They are as close as they can get to are close to one another and they are rigid- they don’t move much at all. Therefore a solid has a defined shape, and takes up a defined amount of space (volume).

In a liquid state the molecules have more energy and can move and flow more freely, so that the shape of a liquid is variable. But the molecules stick close together, so that the amount of space it occupies- the volume- is defined. One cup of water is one cup of water, even if the shape varies.

But in a gaseous state, shape and volume go out the window, literally. Molecules in a gaseous state have high energy and move around randomly, take up as much space as they are given and shape themselves to whatever “container” they are in- whether it is a little jar or the Earth’s atmosphere.

So technically speaking, even if the glass is half empty (of liquid), it’s still totally full (liquid + gas).

Take Notes

In the space below, list the differences between solids and liquids; the differences between solids and gases, and the differences between liquids and gases.