States of Matter — Interactive Diagram
Watch how the same particles arrange themselves in solids, liquids and gases — and what happens when you heat them.
TL;DR: Watch how the same particles arrange themselves in solids, liquids and gases — and what happens when you heat them.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
States of Matter: Watch how the same particles arrange themselves in solids, liquids and gases — and what happens when you heat them.
Why it matters: Particle arrangement explains why solids keep shape, liquids flow and gases fill any space — and powers melting, boiling and condensation questions.
States of Matter — Step by Step
- In a SOLID, particles are packed tightly in a fixed pattern and only vibrate. So a solid keeps its shape and volume.
- Heat it and it MELTS to a LIQUID. Particles are still close but can slide past each other — so a liquid flows and takes the shape of its container.
- Heat more and it boils to a GAS. Particles break free and move fast in all directions — so a gas spreads to fill any space.
Quick Notes — the Exam Crux
- Solid: particles closely packed in fixed positions → fixed shape and volume.
- Liquid: particles close but able to slide → fixed volume, takes the container's shape.
- Gas: particles far apart and moving freely → no fixed shape or volume, fills any space.
- Heating increases particle energy and movement; cooling decreases it.
- Changes of state: melting (solid→liquid), boiling/evaporation (liquid→gas), condensation (gas→liquid), freezing (liquid→solid).
- Sublimation: solid changes directly to gas (e.g. camphor, dry ice).
Remember It (Memory Trick)
Solid–Liquid–Gas = particles packed tight → loose → free. "Solids Stay, Liquids Loosen, Gases Go anywhere." More heat = more particle movement.
Real-Life Example
Ice in your glass melts to water on a hot day, and a boiling kettle sends out steam — the same water, just its particles gaining energy and spreading out.
Test Yourself
Why does a gas have no fixed shape?
Its particles are far apart and move freely, so it spreads to fill any container.
What is sublimation? Give an example.
A solid changing directly into a gas without becoming liquid — e.g. camphor or dry ice.
What happens to the particles when a solid melts?
They gain energy, vibrate more and break free of their fixed positions, so the solid becomes a liquid.
📖 Read the full explanation of States of Matter →
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