Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
States of Matter
Dr. DeBacco
Four States of Matter
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
Solid
Solid: Particles are tightly packed in a fixed, organized structure, vibrating minimally.
Solids have a definite shape and volume, resisting deformation
Examples: ice, iron
Liquid
Liquid: Particles are close but loosely arranged, allowing them to flow and slide past each other.
Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
Examples: water, oil
Gas
Gas: Particles are far apart, moving freely and rapidly in random directions.
Gases have no definite shape or volume, expanding to fill their container.
Examples: oxygen, helium.
Plasma
Plasma: A high-energy state where gas particles are ionized into charged particles (electrons and ions), often at extremely high temperatures or under strong electric fields.
Plasma has no definite shape or volume and conducts electricity.
Examples: lightning, the sun’s interior.
State of Matter Comparison Chart
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1Pk_Ebc0Ux_JjO68jjFGL57sAOb_Jo9Ou/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "States of Matter" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1AJBIEqvAwj6MEVk70Sf1wPO2R_U7hy5K/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
States of Matter
Dr. DeBacco
Four States of Matter
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
Solid
Solid: Particles are tightly packed in a fixed, organized structure, vibrating minimally.
Solids have a definite shape and volume, resisting deformation
Examples: ice, iron
Liquid
Liquid: Particles are close but loosely arranged, allowing them to flow and slide past each other.
Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.
Examples: water, oil
Gas
Gas: Particles are far apart, moving freely and rapidly in random directions.
Gases have no definite shape or volume, expanding to fill their container.
Examples: oxygen, helium.
Plasma
Plasma: A high-energy state where gas particles are ionized into charged particles (electrons and ions), often at extremely high temperatures or under strong electric fields.
Plasma has no definite shape or volume and conducts electricity.
Examples: lightning, the sun’s interior.
State of Matter Comparison Chart
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1Pk_Ebc0Ux_JjO68jjFGL57sAOb_Jo9Ou/view?usp=drive_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "States of Matter" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1AJBIEqvAwj6MEVk70Sf1wPO2R_U7hy5K/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
