Matter is all around us, and we are surrounded by it.Matter is the air you breathe and the computer you are using; matter is everything you can feel and touch in your environment. Matter is formed out of atoms, which happen to be the smallest particle.They are so small that you cannot see them with a naked eye or standard microscope. In the environment around us, the matter is found in different forms. There are various states of matter observable in everyday lives, such as solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. The differences between each state of matter are based on multiple factors, mainly their physical properties.In total, there are five states of matter. Read further to learn more about the five states of matter and how they function. Afterward, also check out fact files on Solids, liquids, and gases made easy, and Types of materials explained. What are the five states of matter?Categories into which matter is divided based on its physical properties are known as states of matter. Natural states of matter are divided into five different categories.The five states of matter are comprised of solids, liquids, gases, plasma, and Bose-Einstein Condensate.Solids: Solids are composed of tightly bonded atoms, but there are still spaces between atoms. Molecular solid structures resist external forces that maintain their definite shape and mass. The tightness of the atoms determines the density of the matter.Liquid: In matter’s liquid phase, atoms begin to take the shape of the container in which they are put, and they have a free surface to function; they do not have a definite shape. However, liquid water cannot expand itself freely. Liquids are affected by gravity.Gas: In matter’s gas phase, they expand to fill the shape and size of the containers. Gas molecules are not tightly packed together, which means that they have relatively low-density levels. The gaseous state of matter can freely expand, unlike the liquid phase. In a gaseous state, the atoms in a solid move independently of one another. No opposing forces are forcing them away or tying them together. In a collision-like fashion, their interactions are uncommon and unpredictable. The temperature of material causes gas particles to flow at a rapid rate. Gases are not affected by gravity like matter’s solid or liquid state.Plasma: The plasma state of matter is highly ionized gas. The plasma state has an equal number of both positive and negative charges. Plasma may be classified into two types: high-temperature plasmas, which are found in stars and fusion reactors, and low-temperature plasmas, which are employed in fluorescent lighting, electrical propulsion, and semiconductor production. Low-temperature plasmas can open up new combustion pathways, potentially increasing engine efficiency. They can also aid catalysts in accelerating processes for the oxidation of fuels and the production of other valuable chemical products.Bose-Einstein Condensate: The fifth state of matter, Bose-Einstein condensate, is a very odd state compared to other states of matter. Bose-Einstein condensates are composed of atoms that are in the same quantum state. Research is still being conducted on this state of matter; researchers believe that Bose-Einstein condensates can be used in the future to develop super-accurate atomic clocks.Who introduced the five states of matter?You might think that the concept of five states of matter is a recent one, but that’s not true. The identification of the five states of matter happened thousands of years ago.The ancient Greeks were the first to identify the three categories of matter based on their observations of liquid water. It was the Greek philosopher Thales who suggested that as water exists in gas, liquid, and solid-state under natural conditions, it has to be the principal element of the universe through which all other kinds of matter are formed.However, now we know that water is not the principal element. It is not even an element to begin with. The two other states of matter known as Bose-Einstein Condensate and Fermionic Condensate are only obtainable under extreme laboratory conditions. Bose-Einstein condensate was first predicted by Satyendra Nath Bose theoretically. Einstein had a look at Bose’s work and considered it important enough that it had to be published. The Bose-Einstein condensate acts like super atoms; their quantum state is entirely different.To understand states of matter in a better way, it is important to know about The Kinetic Theory Of Matter. The basic concept of this theory suggests that atoms and molecules have an energy of motion that is understood as temperature. Atoms and molecules are always in a state of motion, and the energy of these motions is measured as the temperature of the substance. The more energy a molecule possesses, the more molecular mobility it will have, resulting in a greater felt temperature.The amount of energy that atoms and molecules have (and consequently the amount of movement) determines their interaction with each other. Many atoms and molecules are attracted to one other by numerous intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonds, chemical bonds, van der Waals forces, and others. Atoms and molecules with modest quantities of energy (and movement) will interact significantly with one another. In contrast, those with large energy levels will interact just marginally, if at all, with others.Is it possible to change from one state of matter to another?All matter can move from one state to another, and they can go from physical state to liquid state, and so on. This requires them to be put in specific conditions.Change of matter from one state to another requires them to be put under extreme temperatures and pressures. For instance, it is important to decrease critical temperature and increase pressure to change water vapor into the physical state. Phase change in matters occurs when special points are reached. A liquid may desire to solidify at times.The temperature when a liquid transforms into a solid is measured by scientists using a freezing point or melting point. The melting point can be affected by physical factors. One of these impacts is pressure. The freezing point and other specific points of a material rise as the pressure surrounding it rises. When things are under more strain, it is simpler to keep them solid. Solids are often denser than liquids due to the tighter spacing of their molecules.The molecules are compressed into a smaller area during the freezing process. In science, there are always exceptions. Water is unique in many ways. When it is frozen, there is more space between its molecules. Solid water is less dense than liquid water because the molecules organize in a precise layout that takes up more space than when they are all loose-goosey in the liquid state. Solid water is less dense because the same number of molecules takes up more space.A solid can also transition into a gas. This process is known as sublimation. One of the best-known examples of sublimation is dry ice which is nothing but more solid CO2.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Five states of matter, then why not take a look at Solids liquids and gases made easy or Types of materials explained?
Matter is all around us, and we are surrounded by it.
