First off, let’s have a quick

recap about matter…

❑ Matter is traditionally defined as anything

that occupies space and has mass.

❑ A ‘material’ is defined as anything that

is made of matter.

❑ In connection, the term ‘matter’ is often used by

chemists and physicists in general sense while the
term ‘material’ is often used by engineers in a more
specific sense, but in many ways they are the same.

❑ Atom is the smallest building blocks of all matter and the properties
of these tiny particles on the microscopic level gave rise to observable
macroscopic properties of materials.
PHYSICAL
STATES OF
MATTER
 ▪ SOLID
▪ LIQUID
▪ GAS

PHYSICAL STATES OF
MATTER

▪ SOLID
▪ LIQUID
▪ GAS

▪ PLASMA
▪ SUPERFLUIDS
PHYSICAL STATES OF
MATTER
FIVE PHYSICAL STATES OF
MATTER

SOLID LIQUID

GAS

PLASMA SUPERFLUID
SOLID

❑ Has a fixed ❑ Non

shape and compressible
volume

❑ It is rigid and can

only change ❑Maintains
shape by an approximately
applied force constant density
such as when it is under pressure.
cut.
LIQUID

❑ Able to flow and take the shape

❑ Has a fixed volume but of the container that holds it
a variable shape. with one free surface not
determined by the container.

❑ It is only slightly ❑ Shows minor changes in

compressible. density at very high pressure.
GAS

❑ Has no fixed ❑The density of

❑ Very low
shape or volume, the gas can be
electrical
but expands or doubled by
conductivities
diffuses to doubling the
completely fill its pressure.
container.

❑ It is readily ❑ The density of the gas

compressible with is strongly influenced
much lower density by changes in
compared to solids temperature or
or liquids. pressure.
PLASMA

Exists at very high temperatures and formed by super

heating the gas.

No fixed shape or volume and will expand to

completely fill the container.

Plasma has a high electrical conductivities

Readily compressible with a density similar to gas from

which they are formed.

They occur naturally in lightning and auroras.

S U P ER F L U I D

❑ Exist only at low ❑ Have properties

temperatures of liquid

❑ Exhibit frictionless ❑ Formed by rapidly

flow and have a very super cooling a gas
high thermal and liquid..
conductivity
PHYSICAL
STATES OF
MATTER
 ❑ Each of the states is also known as a phase.

❑ “Phase" describes the physical state of matter.

Phase Transition

SUBLIMATION

MELTING VAPORIZATION IONIZATION

SOLID LIQUID GAS PLASMA
FREEZING RECOMBINATIO
CONDENSATION
N

DEPOSITION

SUPER
FLUID COALESCENCE