What are the three states of matter?

The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas, which accurately represent the most common forms in which matter exists.

In a solid state, matter has a definite shape and volume because the particles are closely packed together, vibrating in place but not moving freely. In liquids, the particles are still close together but can slide past one another, allowing the liquid to take the shape of its container while retaining a consistent volume. In gases, the particles are far apart and move freely, allowing gases to expand to fill the entire volume of their container without a definite shape or volume.

This understanding of the three states—solid, liquid, and gas—forms the foundation for many concepts in physics and chemistry, including the behavior of substances under different conditions such as temperature and pressure.