Everything that occupies space and has mass is called matter. We can see around us that matter exists mainly in three different states – Solid, Liquid and Gas. Chair, chocolate, sugar, eraser, sharpener, pencil etc. around you are all examples of matter in solid-state which have a definite shape and volume. Honey, water, milk, oil, tea, coffee, cold drink etc. all are examples of matter in a liquid state which possesses definite volume but no definite shape. Air, oxygen, carbon dioxide etc. all are examples of matter in a gaseous state which possesses neither definite shape nor volume. Thus, you can see solid, liquid and gas all types of matter possess different kinds of properties by which we can distinguish them.
The Difference between Solids, Liquids, and Gas
Solids tends to be characterized by structural rigidity as well as resistance to a force applied on the given surface. The ions and atoms in solids are tightly packed together, thereby restricting their movement.
Liquids are classified as incompressible fluids that acquire the shape of the container they’re poured in. So, although they have a definite volume, the same cannot be said for their shape. They tend to retain a constant volume, independent of their pressure.
Gases are highly compressible forms of matter. Much like liquids, they tend to acquire the shape of the container they’re in but they tend to have an indefinite volume.
The difference between solids, liquids, and gases is shown below in a tabular form:
Difference between Solids, Liquids, and Gas
|
S.No. |
Characteristics |
Solid |
Liquid |
Gas |
|
1. |
Mass |
Definite |
Definite |
Definite |
|
2. |
Shape |
Definite |
Acquires the shape of the container |
Acquires the shape of the container |
|
3. |
Volume |
Definite |
Definite |
Indefinite |
|
4. |
Space between particles (interparticle space) |
Very tightly packed or very close to each other |
Loosely packed |
Very loosely packed |
|
5. |
Kinetic energy of constituent particles |
Least energy |
Higher than solids |
Highest |
|
6. |
Interparticle force of attraction. |
Strongest |
Weaker than solids |
Negligible |
|
7. |
Compressibility |
Negligible |
Can be compressed |
Highly compressible |
|
8. |
Fluidity |
Not possible |
Can flow |
Can flow |
|
9. |
Rigidity |
Highly rigid |
Less rigid |
No rigidity |
|
10. |
Diffusion |
Slow or negligible |
Faster than solids |
Very fast |
|
11. |
Density |
Highest |
Lesser than solids |
Least |
This is all about the difference between solid, liquid and gas on the basis of their different characteristic properties, if you are looking for detailed study notes on different states of matter or NCERT Solutions for Class IX Science then register yourself on or download learning app and get access to study notes, NCERT Solutions, revision notes and mock tests.