Chemical Elements
Matter refers to anything that takes up space and has mass. Although matter has many diverse forms (anything from lava to puppies) it exists in three distinct states: solid, liquid and gas. Another state, plasma, will not be discussed in this unit.
In the photo below, you can see the arrangement of atoms in each of these states. In solids, the atoms are closely packed the the item has specific shape and volume. In a liquid, the atoms are more loosely packed and although they have definite volume, they take the shape of their container. In a gas, the atoms move freely inside their container having no definite volume or shape.
In the photo below, you can see the arrangement of atoms in each of these states. In solids, the atoms are closely packed the the item has specific shape and volume. In a liquid, the atoms are more loosely packed and although they have definite volume, they take the shape of their container. In a gas, the atoms move freely inside their container having no definite volume or shape.
banner image: http://sbezer.web.unc.edu/2011/08/18/102/