Matter

• Anything that has mass and occupies space is defined as matter

• Matter may be invisible to the eye

• All matter is composed of discrete, tiny particles called atoms

Physical States Of Matter

• All matter exists in one of three physical states:

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

Solid Matter

• Definite shape and definite volume

• Particles cohere rigidly to one another

• Shape can be independent of the container

• May be crystalline (salt, sugar, metal) or

• May be amorphous (plastic, glass, gels)

Liquid Matter

• Definite volume but not a definite shape

• Particles adhere firmly but not rigidly

• Takes the shape of the storage container

• Particles are in close contact with one another but are able to move freely

Gaseous Matter

• Indefinite volume and no fixed shape

• Particles move independently of each other

• Particles have gained enough energy to overcome the attractive forces that held them together as
solids and

liquids