In Class 9 Chemistry (Matter in Our Surroundings), one of the most frequently asked, high-scoring exam questions is: 'Tabulate the differences in the characteristics of the three states of matter.' Here is a perfect 5-point table for your exams.
There are actually two more states of matter beyond Solid, Liquid, and Gas. They are Plasma (superheated ionized gas, found in stars) and Bose-Einstein Condensate (supercooled matter).
| Characteristics | Solid | Liquid | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shape | Has a fixed and definite shape. | No fixed shape. Takes the shape of the container. | No fixed shape. |
| 2. Volume | Has a fixed and definite volume. | Has a fixed volume. | No fixed volume. Fills the entire container. |
| 3. Compressibility | Incompressible (Cannot be pressed down). | Highly incompressible (very slight compression possible). | Highly compressible. |
| 4. Particle Arrangement | Particles are packed extremely close together. | Particles are loosely packed with some space between them. | Particles are very far apart. |
| 5. Intermolecular Force | The force of attraction between particles is very strong. | The force of attraction is weaker than in solids. | The force of attraction is negligible (almost zero). |
| 6. Kinetic Energy | Particles have minimum kinetic energy (only vibrate in place). | Particles have higher kinetic energy (can slide past each other). | Particles have maximum kinetic energy (move randomly at high speeds). |
A sponge is a solid because it has a definite shape and volume. It can be compressed only because it has tiny holes filled with trapped air. When you press it, you are expelling the air, not actually compressing the solid material of the sponge.
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