Matter is the “stuff” that all things are made of. Everything we see, touch, and breathe is made of matter. Matter has different forms called states. The three most common states on Earth are solids, liquids, and gases. Matter behaves differently in each of these states.
Solid
A solid is something that holds its shape, and stops you from moving through it. For example: a rock, a spoon, or a book.
- Solids can be cut or shaped.
- Most solids are hard, like metal.
Liquid
Liquids do not hold their shape on their own. They will take on the shape of their container, like water in a glass.
- Liquids flow, like river, and they can be poured, like milk and juice.
- Liquids fall down, as they are pulled towards the Earth by gravity.
Gas
Gases have no fixed shape at all. They fill any space that they are in, for example, air in a room.
- Gases are always moving.
- Gases are lighter than solids and liquids.
Switching states
Most things change from one state to another when their temperature changes. When a solid gets hot, it melts and changes into a liquid. When this liquid is heated, it evaporates, changing into a gas or vapour. For example: Ice is a solid. It is very cold. When ice is heated above 0ºC (32ºF) , it melts and becomes a liquid called water. When water is heated to 100ºC (212ºF), it boils and changes into a vapour called steam.
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