States of Matter
All matter in the universe can be classified under four categories: solid, liquid, gas and plasma. We are all aware and can most likely classify the first three. Plasma appears naturally in the Sun and other stars, and can be artificially made on Earth.
There is one more state of matter, called plasma. Plasma occurs when gas is heated so hot that the atoms ionize, or lose electrons. This state of matter doesn't appear often on Earth, but the interior of the Sun is comprised of ionized hydrogen and helium: atoms of hydrogen and helium that have lost some or all of their electrons.
Phase Changes
Each one of the states can change into the other. The following table are the names of the phase changes from one state to another and an example:
Phase Changes
Each one of the states can change into the other. The following table are the names of the phase changes from one state to another and an example:
Phase Change Name
Melting Freezing Boiling Condensation Sublimation Deposition |
Change of State
Solid to Liquid Liquid to Solid Liquid to Gas Gas to Liquid Solid to Gas Gas to Solid |
Example
Candle wax turning into liquid Melted butter turning solid when placed in a refrigerator Water boiling in a pot, producing steam Rain; liquid water appearing on the outside of a cold drink Dry ice turning into a gas; mothballs disappearing Frost appearing on a car windshield |