The Four States of Matter

The Four States of Matter

A substance's State is determined by its inherent properties, plus temperature and pressure

• SOLID - Retains its shape without needing a container because its temperature is low and the molecules are fixed in position.
  Example: Ice is the solid form of water.
• LIQUID - A FLUID that takes the shape of its container and has molecules that are tightly bonded together. The molecules move within the container by a force called Convection where the warmer molecules rise and the cooler (denser) one fall.
  Example: Water.
• GAS - A FLUID that takes the shape of its container and has convection, but expands to fill the container bexause the molecules have too much energy to stick together. Often called a VAPOR
  Example: Steam is the gaseous form of water.
• PLASMA - An electrically charged state of matter found in the Sun, electric arcs and flourescent lamps. Most plasmas exist at high temperatures and have no part in cooling systems.