Key learning points

1. There are three states of matter: solid state, liquid state, and gas state.
2. A substance in the gas state can be compressed because there is empty space between the particles.
3. A substance in the liquid or solid state cannot be compressed because the particles are already touching.
4. A substance in the gas or liquid state has no fixed shape as the particles can move past each other.
5. A substance in the solid state will not flow because the particles vibrate in a fixed position.

Keywords

• States of matter - The states of matter are used to describe the three physical states that matter commonly exists in: the solid state, liquid state and the gas state.

• Particle model - The particle model is a model used to explain the physical properties of substances by describing the arrangement and movement of particles.

• Forces of attraction - Forces of attraction are pulling forces that keep particles close together.

• Compress - If you compress a substance, it can be made to take up less space than before. Substances in the gas state can be compressed.

Common misconception