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Course: Science — First Preparatory
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Matter and Its Properties

Science — First Preparatory

Matter and Its Properties

Definition of matter and its states

Definition of matter and its states

  • Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space (volume).
  • Matter exists in three states, which differ in the arrangement and spacing of their particles and in the strength of the forces between them.
State Shape Volume Arrangement and spacing of particles
Solid Fixed Fixed
  • Tightly packed and very close together
  • vibrate in place
Liquid Takes the shape of its container Fixed
  • Close together
  • slide over each other more freely
Gas Takes the shape of its container Fills the whole container
  • Very far apart
  • move quickly in all directions
  1. This explains why a solid keeps its shape
  2. and why a gas can be compressed much more easily than a liquid or a solid.
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