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Classification of Matter
Depending upon the shape, volume and rigidity, matter can be classified into three states, viz. solid, liquid and gas.
a) Solid: A solid is that form of matter which has definite mass, shape and volume. Solids are generally hard and righd. Some common examples are sugar, common salt, a piece of iron, book, etc.
b) Lifquid: A lifquid is that from of matter which has definite mass and volume but no definite shape. Liquids take up the shape of the container in which they are placed. Moreover, liquids have a tendency to flow. Some common examples of liquids are milk. Water, alcohol. Mercury, etc.
c) Gas: A gas is that form of matter which has definite mass but no definite shape and volume., It can assume the shape of the container due to its mobile nature. It fills the whole of the container in which it is placed.
Apart from the three states of matter discussed above, there can be other states of matter as well. Plasma, for example, is a state of matter containing gaseous ions and occurs only at very high temperatures. This state is called fourth state of matter. Discussions of plasma state is beyond the scope of this book.
