Matter can be defined as anything that takes up space, has mass, and has inertia.

Chemistry is the study of matter and its interactions.

SolidLiquidGasPlasmaBose-Einstein Condensate

Basis of Classification of the Four Types

Based upon particle arrangement

Based upon energy of particles

Based upon distance between particles

Particles of solids are tightly packed, vibrating about a fixed position.

Solids have a definite shape and a definite volume.

Particle Movement Examples

Particles of liquids are tightly packed, but are far enough apart to slide over one another.

Liquids have an indefinite shape and a definite volume.

Particle Movement Examples

Particles of gases are very far apart and move freely.

Gases have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume.

Particle Movement Examples

A plasma is an ionized gas.

A plasma is a very good conductor of electricity and is affected by magnetic fields.

Plasma, like gases have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume.

ParticlesThe negatively charged electrons (yellow) are freely streaming

through the positively charged ions (blue).

A Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter of a dilute gas of bosons cooled to temperatures very close to absolute zero

As atoms cool, they behave more like waves and less like particles. When cooled enough, their waves expand and begin to overlap. This is similar to steam condensing on a lid when it is boiled. The water clumps together to form a drop of water, or condensate. The same occurs with atoms, only it is their waves that merge together. Bose-Einstein condensates are similar to laser light. However, instead of photons behaving in a uniform manner, it is the atoms that exist in perfect union. Like a drop of water condensing, the low-energy atoms merge together to form a dense, indistinguishable lump.