State of Matter

Solid State

A solid possesses definite shape and definite volume which means that it can not be compressed on applying pressure. Solids are generally hard and rigid.
    Example — metals, wood, bricks, copper etc.

Liquid State

A liquid possesses definite volume but no definite shape. This means that the liquid can take up the shape of container in which it is placed.
A liquid can flow. You can pour a liquid or spill it. Liquids have properties intermediate between solids and gases. The intermolecular forces in liquids are weaker than solids but stronger than gases. In liquids, the constituent particles do not occupy fixed position as in solids, but they have freedom of movement as in gases.
    Example — water, milk, oil, alcohol etc.

Gaseous State

A gas does not have either a definite volume or definite shape. It can be compressed to large extent on applying pressure and also takes the shape of the container where it is enclosed.
A gas occupies the entire volume of the container irrespective of its size. In gases, molecules move freely because the intermolecular forces are very weak and are unable to keep the gas molecules together in bulk. We cannot see gases, but they are all around us. We can feel the presence of air when the wind blows.
    Example — Air, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Ammonia, Carbondioxide etc.

Transformation of State

Water exists in three different states

Plasma

The fourth state of matter is called plasma. This state contains ionised gas with super energetic and super excited particle.

Different Characteristics of the Three States of Matter

State of Matter	Solid	Liquid	Gas
Volume	Fixed	Fixed	Has no fixed volume
Density	High	Lower when compared to solid	Low
Shape	Definite shape	It takes the shape of container	Has no definite shape
Fluidity	Does not flow	Flows smoothly	Flows smoothly
Compressibility	Negligible	Very small	Highly compressible
Inter molecular Forces	Very strong	Weak when compared to solid	Very weak