We have all been taught how every object and thing around us is made up of matter and that matter exists in three very basic states which are the solids, the liquids, and the gasses. Even within these solids, liquids and gasses are particles, and it is simply the arrangement of these particles which makes any matter form one of the three states. It is also because the major difference between the three states is how the particles behave around one another which make the transition possible in between one state of matter and the next.
In simple words, particles of solid have very little kinetic energy although there is kinetic energy. The particles in solids when they come together hold their own shape; and they do not confine themselves to the shape of the container in which they sit. To see things practically, it is hard to mold a table into the shape that we want for it to take without having to cut it and this is because the particles are very close together.
With liquids, however, the story is somewhat different. The particles in liquids have greater kinetic energy compared to solids, and they are no more in a regular position, or the particles do not hold their place. They are still close together because the bonds in between individual particles do not break despite them moving about. The increased kinetic energy does, however, mean that these particles have the ability to flow and they, therefore, do not maintain their own shape rather they take the form of the container they are in.
Like solids, liquids can also be touched, but they cannot be carried around free from a container like solids can. They can also be seen because the particles still being close together enable us to make out the shape and texture that it takes. Like for instance, we are drinking orange juice, we can see it, and we can touch it, and we can even control it, but if we pour this orange juice onto a table, it is going to scatter all over the place because it no longer has the containers to keep itself within bounds.
In this example, we could also make an observation of how the particles never break bonds and go free from one another because unless the juice is falling down, it flows in the form of a puddle meaning the particles stay in contact with one another.
So to highlight again, the differences in between the solids and liquids have to do with the kinetic energy of the particles and how fast they vibrate. That movement is minimal in solids and more in liquids. Another point of distinction is how far apart the particles are from one another; in liquids, they are further apart. In solids, however, they are tightly packed. Yet another variation is the ability of the two matters to hold their own shape which is greatest in solids. In liquids, though, this ability even though is there to an extent is present not very distinctly.
The story is very different for gasses because in gasses, the particles are very far apart and even though there is an attraction between particles, the bonds are broken, and every particle moves around the container with much-allowed freedom. If set free, these particles are going to float around without bounds, and this is the same quality which is the reason why gasses cannot be seen and felt, and they cannot confine within a free space.
A term that we are going to introduce here is compressibility because this is a quality which fits true most with gasses. Since the space between particles is plenty, the particles could be forced closer together, meaning that gas could be compressed. This could be done in one way by cooling down the gas which is going to take some of the kinetic energy away from the particles and is going to bring them relatively closer together because of their attraction towards one another.
When making a note of the difference in between the three states, we could say that in gasses, the kinetic energy is highest of all the three states and the particles are furthest apart from one another. Gasses do not for the same reason maintain the shape of the container that they are in and they can neither be seen not felt. When we start to compare compressibility of the three states, the gasses take the lead in this department for they are easiest to compress. Liquids even though can be compressed, maintain the ability to a very limited degree. The particles in solids though do not compress because they are close enough together as is.
Works Cited
Bagley, Mary. Matter: Definition & the Five States of Matter. 11 April 2016. <http://www.livescience.com/46506-states-of-matter.html>.
