Physical State

Introduction

Anything which has mass and takes up space is broadly classified as “matter”. Everything is considered as matter from the box we touch, to the water we drink, and to the gases we breathe. 

To make it easier for us to understand and classify them further, matter is classified into three divisions:

1:- Solid – It can be defined as the matter which is hard and maintains a fixed shape

2:- Liquid – It can be defined as the matter which is wet and maintains its volume but not its shape 

3:- Gas – It can be defined as the matter which can change both its shape and volume according to its needs

The matter may exist in any of the states described above, but it can be manipulated to some other state of matter by altering its temperature, pressure, or density. This means that by altering various phases of matter, one can easily change its state (i.e. solid into a gas or liquid and vice versa).

We have discussed quite a lot about the matter, its definitions and classifications. Now, let us talk about the classifications in detail, which will help us to get a better point of view on the physical state of matter. 

Solid State of Matter

The solid state of matter can be defined as something that has a definite shape and volume because the molecules which make up a “solid” are very closely packed, ensuring higher density than liquids and gases. The density of the molecules not only makes them gain some weight but also makes them rigid and tough to break. Some examples of solid state of matter include particles of rock salt, sugar particles, wood, metals, etc. Some other properties of the solid state of matter are: 

1: Solids cannot be compressed effortlessly as their molecules are tightly packed. 

2: Solids have a definite mass and volume because of the tight packing of molecules. 

Liquid State of Matter

The liquid state of matter has a definite volume but does not have any definite shape. It takes the shape of the container it is poured into. This is because of the intermolecular spacing between the molecules of a liquid. Some examples of the liquid state of matter are water, oil, etc. Some other properties of the liquid state of matter include: 

1: Due to the spacing in the molecules of the liquid, it tends to take the shape of the container it is poured into. 

2: The density of the liquid state of matter does not vary unless an external heat is applied to it. 

Gaseous State of Matter

The gaseous state of matter neither has constant volume nor a definite shape. The spacing between the molecules of the gas is a major distance. Because of this, it does not have any weight, and it is very difficult to see. Some examples of the gaseous state of matter include oxygen, helium, lithium, etc.

Some other properties of the gaseous state of matter include: 

1: The intermolecular spacing allows the gases to be as lightweight as they are and the flowing tendency of gases is also because of the spacing between the molecules.  

2: We cannot see gases because they have no density and no particular shape, allowing them to be weightless and flowable. 

These are some brief definitions of the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Apart from these states of matter, another state of matter is under observation, which is known as “plasma”. Plasma is a state of matter just like gas. It neither has any density nor a fixed shape. It also does not have an electric charge. It is a state of matter in which an ionised substance becomes highly electrically conductive to the point that long-range electric and magnetic fields dominate its behaviour. Plasma is being discovered as a state of matter which can change its shape, size, and electric charge based on its necessity and requirements.

Conclusion

Scientists all around the globe are always on their toes, discovering new states of matter all the time! In addition to these four main states of matter, other states of matter which have been in consideration are termed, super fluid, Bose-Einstein condensate, fermionic condensate, Rydberg molecules, quantum Hall state, and photonic matter.