Three States of Matter
Solid
In a solid the particles are very close together. Because
there is very little space between particles, they can’t be
squeezed any closer together. This gives a solid a definite
volume and shape. It also keeps particles in a solid from moving
very much. In fact, they are packed together so tightly that each
particle stays in the same place and just vibrates.
Liquid
Particles are not packed together as tightly in a liquid, so they
move more freely than they do in a solid. This allows a liquid to flow
and take the shape of its container. You can see the motion of particles
in a liquid by placing a drop of dye in a glass of water. As the particles
bump into one another, the dye slowly spreads through the water.
Gas
The particles in a gas are packed together the least. Because
the particles are freer to move around in gases than in solids or liquids,
gas particles move the fastest. Like a liquid, a gas flows and takes the
shape of its container. But the density of particles in a gas is so low
that an increase in pressure can move the particles closer together. If
the pressure is high enough, a gas becomes a liquid.
√In which state of matter are the particles closest together?
Farthest apart?