C.4C: States of Matter
Matter and the Periodic Table
•  What physical properties distinguish solids, liquids and gases from each other?
•  How does the particle structure affect the shape, volume and compressibility of solids, liquids
and gases?
Background: States of Matter – It’s Just a Phase
All matter on Earth, from the upper levels of the atmosphere down to the Earth’s core,
exists in a solid, liquid, or gas phase depending on the temperature and pressure
conditions. These three phases have distinct properties when compared in terms of shape,
volume, particle structure, and compressibility.
Solids
Liquids
Gases
The atoms or molecules
of matter in the solid
phase are arranged in
fixed positions, making
the material hold a
definite shape and
volume. Generally, solids
are incompressible,
because the particles
(atoms or molecules) are
very close to each other
in the structure, leaving
no room for movement.
The particles in a liquid
are not in fixed positions,
so they are free to move
past each other. Liquids
take the shape of the
container they are in, but
they cannot hold that
shape without the
container. Due to the
greater degree of particle
movement, liquids are
slightly more
compressible than solids,
but liquids are less
compressible compared
to gases.
The gas phase is the most
different from the other
two phases. The particles
in the gas phase are far
apart from each other and
are constantly moving
around. This allows gases
to expand to fill any
container size. There is
no definite shape or
volume for matter in the
gas phase, and the
distance between the
particles makes gases
very compressible.
Work in the Background section of your Student Journal.
1 C.4C: States of Matter
Matter and the Periodic Table
•  What physical properties distinguish solids, liquids and gases from each other?
•  How does the particle structure affect the shape, volume and compressibility of solids, liquids
and gases?
Background: States of Matter – It’s Just a Phase, continued
Substances can undergo a phase change to transition from one phase to another, and each
of these transitions has a name. A solid melts when it changes to a liquid and sublimes
when it changes directly to a gas. A liquid evaporates or vaporizes when it changes to a
gas and freezes to form a solid. A gas can condense to a liquid and deposits to form a
solid directly without forming a liquid.
An easy way to compare the three phases is to look at the density of matter in each phase.
How do you think particle structure relates to density? The solid and liquid phases, in
which particles are closest together, should have a higher density compared to the gas
phase.
In the illustrations below, notice how the mass to volume ratio is different for each of
these three states. The particles in the solid state are packed tightly together, making
solids relatively incompressible. The liquid state has more space between particles than
the solid state, but less than the gas state. This makes liquids more compressible than
solids, but less than gases. Finally, the gas state has a lot of space between particles,
making compression very easy.
Solids
Liquids
Gases
Compressibility increases as particle density decreases
Continue working in the Background section of your Student Journal.
2 C.4C: States of Matter
Matter and the Periodic Table
•  What physical properties distinguish solids, liquids and gases from each other?
•  How does the particle structure affect the shape, volume and compressibility of solids, liquids and
gases?
Part I: Plan Your Investigation
Your Mission: Compare solids, liquids, and gases in terms of compressibility, structure,
shape, and volume.
For five different matter samples, you will compare the particle structure, definite volume,
definite shape, and compressibility to experimentally determine the densities of these
samples. Think about particle structure when you compare the solids to the liquids and to
the gas. How does this relate to the mass and volume of matter? You will need to decide
on a method to determine density depending on each sample’s matter type. Examine your
matter samples, and for each solid and liquid sample develop a procedure to determine
mass and volume. For the gas sample, a procedure is provided. You will measure the
mass of an empty balloon, and then measure the mass of the balloon after it has been
inflated and subtract the two numbers. Use Part I of your Student Journal to plan this
investigation.
Part II: Implement Your Investigation
Use Part II of your Student Journal to record and analyze your data.
1. Find the mass of the empty balloon, then blow up the balloon and tie it off. This will be
your gas matter sample.
2. Examine the samples of solids, liquids, and gas using any tools that have been provided.
In Part II of your Student Journal, record your observations about each matter sample in
terms of phase, definite shape and volume, and compressibility. Use your knowledge of
science to compare the particle structures for each matter sample even though you will
not be able to visually observe this.
3. Develop a chart, make and record your solid and liquid sample measurements.
4. Find the mass of the balloon on the electronic balance and the volume of the spherical
balloon by measuring its dimensions.
5. Using the data you have collected, calculate the density of each sample.
Finish up by completing the Reflections and Conclusions section of your Student Journal.
3