Chapter-1

MATTER IN OUR SURROUNDINGS

II. States of Matter

Matter around us exists in three different states which are solid, liquid and gas.
These states of matter arise due to the variation in the characteristics of the
particles of matter.

Solid State: Solid is defined as that form of matter which possesses rigidity,
incompressible and hence has a definite shape and volume.

Liquid State: Liquid is defined as that form of water which possesses fixed
volume, but has no fixed shape.

Gaseous State: Gases can be defined as that form of water which possesses high
compressibility and hence has neither definite shape nor definite volume.

Comparison of some important properties (characteristics) of solids liquids

and gases:

Property Solids Liquids Gases

Shape Have fixed Do not have fixed Do not have fixed

shape shape but take shape shape
of the container
Volume Fixed volume Fixed volume Do not have fixed
volume but take
volume container
Arrangement of Closely packed Loosely packed Very loosely packed
particles
Inter-particle Less inter- More than solids but Most inter-particle
space particle space less than gases space
Force of Maximum Less than solids but Least force of
attraction force of more than gases attraction
attraction
 Density Most dense Less than solids but Least dense
more than gases
*Rigidity Solids are rigid Liquids are not rigid Gases are not rigid

*Fluidity Cannot flow Can flow Can flow

*Compressibilit Cannot Can compress(more Most compressible

y compress than solids but less
(least) than gases)
Kinetic energy Least in solids More than solids but Highest in gases
less than gases
Diffusion Least rate of Higher than solids but Highest rate of
diffusion less than gases diffusion
*Rigidity: The property by which a substance (solid) retain its shape when an
external force is applied.

Fluidity: The property by which a substance (liquids &gases) flow from one place
to another thereby changing its shape when an external force is applied.

Compressibility: The property by which a substance (gas) occupies less volume

when an external force is applied.

Q. Explain: (i) Sponge though compressible is a solid.

(ii) Rubber band though stretchable is a solid.

(iii) When sugar and common salt are kept in different jars, they take the
shape of the jars. Are they solids?

Q.Draw the schematic pictures of the three states of matter that shows the motion
of particles. (Reader pg no.5, fig-1.5)