Water can exist in all three states, e.g. This is the reason that we can smell (either good or bad) from the distance. Gases, normally, show the property of diffusing very fast into other gases.

have high compressibility therefore, large volume of a gas can be compressed into a small cylinder and can be transported easily. The gases, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG – used in cooking) compressed natural gas (CNG – used as fuel in vehicles), etc. Unlike solid, gas has not definite size and shape.

For example, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc. Matter in the form of air, which is neither solid nor liquid, is known as gas. Liquids have the property to flow and change shape. Liquids take up the shape of the container in which they are kept. Unlike solids, liquids have no fixed shape however, they have a fixed volume. The solid materials can be broken under applied force, but it is very difficult to change their shape, as they are rigid. Most of the solid materials have negligible compressibility.Īll the solid materials have a natural tendency to maintain their shape when subjected to outside force. The attracting force of the particles keeps the particles together however, the strength of the attracting force varies from one kind of matter to another.Īll the solid materials have a definite shape, distinct boundaries, and fixed volumes. The particles of matter have attracting force therefore, they attract each other.

Kinetic energy of particles directly depends on the temperature, as temperature increases, the speed of the movement also increases. Particles of matter keep moving continuously, which is known as the “kinetic energy.” Particles of matter are very small, normally, not visible from naked eye. Everything found in this universe is made up of some materials, scientists have named them as “matter.” For example, the food we eat, the air we breathe, stones, clouds, stars, plants, animals, water, dust, everything is categorized as matter.

What is matter in chemistry