What are the different States of Matter and why do they change? Science Short

Matter exists in four primary states—solid, liquid, gas, and plasma—determined by the energy and movement of internal particles. Atoms and molecules act like building blocks that wiggle in place within solids, slide past each other in liquids, and zoom freely in gases. Adding or removing heat energy triggers phase changes such as melting, freezing, boiling, and condensing. Unique transitions like sublimation allow solids to turn directly into gas, as seen with frozen clothes or dry ice, while deposition turns gas straight into solid frost. Beyond these common states, extreme energy can knock electrons free from their nuclei to create plasma, a super-energized, electrically charged state found in lightning, stars, and neon signs. Ultimately, the physical state of any substance is a reflection of how its particles rearrange in response to energy shifts.