The States of Matter

Solids have a fixed shape and volume due to strong intermolecular forces holding the particles in a rigid structure.

Gases consist of particles that move freely and independently, occupying the entire volume of their container.

Melting is the process by which a solid substance changes to a liquid state upon absorbing heat.

Vaporization is the process by which a liquid substance changes to a gaseous state upon absorbing heat.

Solids have the highest density because their particles are closely packed together, resulting in a higher mass per unit volume.

Condensation is the process by which a gas changes to a liquid state upon releasing heat.

Gases have the lowest viscosity because their particles move freely and independently, encountering minimal resistance to flow.

Freezing is the process by which a liquid substance changes to a solid state upon releasing heat.

Solids have the highest thermal conductivity because their particles are closely packed together, allowing for efficient transfer of heat energy.

Recombination is the process by which a plasma changes to a gas state upon losing energy and allowing electrons to recombine with ions.

Gases have the lowest specific heat capacity because their particles are loosely packed and require less energy to raise their temperature by a given amount.

Sublimation is the process by which a solid substance changes directly to a gas state upon absorbing heat.

Gases have the highest compressibility because their particles are loosely packed and can be easily compressed by applying pressure.

Deposition is the process by which a plasma changes directly to a solid state upon losing energy and allowing ions to condense into a solid structure.

Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) is a state of matter in which a large number of bosons at very low temperatures behave as a single quantum mechanical entity, exhibiting superfluidity and superconductivity.