Shea Anderson, Jack Alexander, Martin Shea, Neal Sanders, Tori Schaus
Physics Essay
Period 5
STATES OF MATTER
Matter is made up of elements and compounds that occupy space, and one can change the
physical state of said matter by applying physical forces like changing temperature and pressure. There
are five states of matter: plasmas, gases, liquids, solids, and Bose-Einstein condensates. We are most
familiar with gases, liquids, solids, and plasmas as we come in contact with them every day. BoseEinstein condensates aren’t very common here on Earth (or in the universe), so we tend to think less of
them. Plasmas are found in the stars of the universe, while Bose-Einstein condensates only occur in the
darkest depths of space. If you were to think of the states of matter as a spectrum, plasmas and BoseEinstein Condensates are found on the very ends. Gases and Solids move closer to the middle, and
liquids are perhaps the most important right in the center. If it weren’t for liquids, life in the universe
would not be possible.
Let us start from the middle of our spectrum: liquids. Liquids, like a gas, have an indefinite
shape; but like a solid, have definite volume. Liquids are forms of matter that are made up of more
tightly packed particles, but are not placed in regular patterns, giving them the ability to move and
conform to the shape of the container they are held in. The density of liquids is very close to that of a
solid and both are described as condensed matter. From the liquid state we can apply temperature to
change its physical state. If we apply heat, the liquid molecules will grow farther apart, to the point
where the cohesive forces of the molecules break, changing into a gaseous state. If we apply cold
temperatures, the distances between molecules grow smaller, to where it will freeze, making the bonds
more rigid.
Moving outward from the middle of our spectrum we find gases and solids. When heat is
applied to a liquid, it undergoes evaporation, moving from a liquid state of matter to a gaseous state. In
this state, the matter expands to occupy the available volume. Gases are forms of matter with fast
moving particles further spread out from each other. Gasses expand and compress to fit an area. Just as
liquid can turn into a gaseous state, gas can turn into a liquid state by condensation: we often see this
process in rainfall. When a gas is exposed to below freezing temperatures, it can turn into a solid state
without becoming a liquid first. This process is called deposition: and most commonly seen in the
process of snowfall. The process in which a solid become a gas without becoming a liquid is called
sublimation. When a liquid is cooled down, it freezes into a solid state of matter. Solids have a definite
shape and self contained form. They are made up of regularly patterned, tightly packed particles that
can only vibrate in their fixed positions, and cannot move freely and flow like a liquid or gas. Solids can
only change their shape by an applied force like breaking or cutting.
Plasma is electrically charged particles at high energy, being the hottest state of matter that is
very similar to a gas. The difference between plasma and gas is a certain portion of the particles are
ionized. This happens because heating a gas dissociates its molecular bonds, freeing the atoms, losing its
electrons and becoming positively charged. We see plasma throughout the universe in stars, and very
often here on Earth with the glow coming from fluorescent lights. Due to plasma having an electric
current, plasmas are more influenced by electromagnetic forces rather than gravitational forces.
Throughout the universe, the most dominant form of matter happens to be plasma, and plasma cooling
down gives all the atoms and molecules that form gases, liquids, and solids. So, one could reasonably
argue that we are all made of stars.
Further cooling down from a solid, we find the infamous Bose-Einstein Condensate. Closing in on
the temperature of absolute zero, a mysterious thing happens to matter: it turns into a super liquid. A
liquid with no viscosity (the ability to flow without dissipating energy), and its particles are so still, it is
able to slip through the atoms surrounding it. The finding of this state of matter allows us to see
quantum events on a macroscopic level, furthering our understanding of the universe. Yet these
condensates can only be observed in short periods of time; therefore, research is currently limited,
making it all the more difficult to explain quantum events.
The way we, the human race, understand the states of matter around us, will further increase
the understanding of our surrounding universe. Knowing how matter moves and how it works, gives us
insight to what we are able to learn about far off planets, and the origins of the universe. Through BoseEinstein Condensate and plasma research, we peer into bits of quantum chaos in hopes of finding how
everything has come into existence, and where it has brought us into the present.