What Is Matter?

Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. From the air you breathe to the chair you sit on, matter is all around you! Matter comes in different forms, known as states—solid, liquid, gas, and even plasma.

States of Matter

• Solids: Particles are tightly packed and vibrate in place. Example: Ice.
• Liquids: Particles are close but move around each other. Example: Water.
• Gases: Particles are far apart and zip freely. Example: Oxygen.
• Plasma: Super-energized particles found in stars and lightning.

Why Does Matter Matter?

Understanding matter helps us design new materials, cook food, and even build spaceships! By studying matter, scientists can explain why things float, freeze, melt, and explode.

Changing States

When you heat or cool matter, it can change from one state to another. For example, ice (solid) melts into water (liquid) and boils into steam (gas).

Fun Fact

Most of the universe is made of plasma, not solids, liquids, or gases!