The gas particles have big distances between them. Solids have definite shape and volume, liquids have definite volume and assume the shape of the container, gases expand to fill and take volume and shape of the container. The particles in all three states move about. The animation illustrates this idea. The amount of movement is smallest in solids, greater in liquids, and very great in gases.
Physical properties are solubility, volume, length, color, odor, melting point, mass, boiling point.
The physical properties are measured or observed without changing the identity of the substance or matter in the object. The particles retain their identity, but they are rearranged into a different pattern or no pattern at all. Return to entry page .