Phases of matter:

The matter we see around us can generally be categorized as one of three types of substances: solid, liquid, or gas (vapor). A rock on the ground is solid, one's morning coffee is liquid (we hope), and the air we breath is a gas. These three phases of matter differ due to the difference in the way the atoms and molecules that make up their structure interact.

Solids

  • Molecules of substance are directly bonded, and have limited freedom of movement.
  • Shape is fixed. Internal structure can be loosely ordered (coal), or highly structured (diamond).

Liquids

  • Molecules of substance are loosely bonded, and can slip over each other, but do not easily seperate.
  • Shape is determined by surroundings. The substance will change shape to fit the container it is in, but will not expand to fill empty space within the container.

Gases

  • Molecules of substance are not bonded, and can move freely in all directions.
  • Shape is determined by surroundings. Since molecules move freely, it will expand to fill it's surroundings.
ok, what would a quick quiz on this be?