States of Matter
Anna Stewart /5th period /Hixon
Solid is the state of matter in which materials have a definite shape and volume. Definite means that the shape and volume of a pencil won't change as you move the pencil from a desk to a drawer or backpack. Changing a solids container doesn't change its shape or volume. Definite shape however doesn't mean that it is impossible to change a solids shape. A pencil is a solid. You cannot change it into another state of matter just by changing its container, but you can change its definite shape by sharpening it. A spoon is a solid object but its definite shape can be bent. The same goes for a piece of wire.
Liquid is the state of matter in which a material has a definite volume but not a definite shape. A liquid always takes the shape of its container. A liquid can also be poured from one container into another.Depending on what container it is pored in every liquid can appear as though its volume has changed. Everything you drink is a liquid. Soda, juice, milk, and water can all be poured from their original container into a glass, and then poured from the glass into your mouth. Mercury is a liquid at room temperature.
Gas is the state of matter in which in which a material has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. Gas takes the shape AND the volume of its container. The volume of the gas is equal to the volume of its container. The adj. form of the word gas is gaseous as in gaseous state. Air is the most abundant gas we know of. Helium is a gas that is used to fill balloons. Helium is a gas that can be compressed.
Bose Einstein Condensate
Condensation happens when several gasmolecules come together and form a liquid. It all happens because of a loss of energy. Gases are really excited atoms. When they lose energy, they slow down and begin to collect. They can collect into one drop.The BEC happens at super low temperatures. Scientists have figured out a way to get a temperature only a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero. Examples are cold liquid helium and superconductors.
Plasma is the state of matter in which atoms have been stripped of their electrons. Plasma is basically a gas that contains two kinds of particles - nuclei and electrons. A fusion reactor must contain plasma. Plasma mostly exists in extremely high temperatures. Plasma is hardtop find in occurrences on earth. The Northern Lights and ball lightning are the only earth examples of plasma. Plasma can sometimes be found in florescent lighting.