This causes the gluons of the nucleus to appear as a sort of wall or region of increased density. Because of their speed, the nucleus appears compressed along its direction of motion. Photons with apparent mass can even form photonic “molecules.” Color-Glass CondensateĬolor-glass condensate is a state of matter proposed to exist when atomic nuclei travel near the speed of liquid. Photonic matter is the state of matter formed when photons interact with a gas in such a way that the photons have apparent mass and can interact with each other. Rydberg matter is a type of plasma formed when excited ions condense. In a fermionic condensate, a pair of fermions behaves as a boson, allowing multiple pairs to enter the same quantum state. Normally, the Pauli exclusion principle forbids fermions from entering the same quantum state. Fermionic CondensateĪ fermionic condensate is a state of matter similar to a Bose-Einstein condensate, except it consists of fermions, such as quarks and leptons. Like Bose-Einstein condensate, superfluidity occurs near absolute zero. Because it could flow without friction, superfluid helium climbed the walls of its container and dripped over the sides. Superfluidity was observed for helium in 1937. SuperfluidĪ superfluid is a second liquid state formed by some types of matter. Bose-Einstein condensate is “colder” than an ordinary solid and may form very near absolute zero. This state of matter was verified experimentally in 1995 by Eric Cornell and Carl Wieman.
In Bose-Einstein condensate, atoms and ions stop behaving as separate particles and collapse into a single quantum state that can be described using a single wavefunction. Examples of plasma include lightning, the aurora, the Sun, and the inside of a neon sign.īose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is sometimes called the fifth state of matter. Plasma can consist of ions, electrons, or protons. Also, plasma tends to exist at very low pressure, so the particles are even further apart than in a gas. Plasma is a state of matter similar to a gas, except all of the particles carry an electrical charge. Examples of gases include air, water vapor, and helium. They tend to be further apart and more random than in a liquid. Particles in a gas have more energy than in solids or liquids. Unlike a liquid, a gas easily expands or contracts to fill the entire volume of the container. Like a liquid, a gas takes the shape of a container. GasĪ gas is a state of matter lacking either a defined volume or defined shape. Examples of liquids include water, juice, and vegetable oil. Particles in a liquid have more energy than in a solid, so they are further apart and less organized (more random). In other words, liquids take the shape of their container. LiquidĪ liquid is a state of matter with a defined volume, but no defined shape. Examples of solids include rocks, ice, diamond, and wood. Atoms, ions, and molecules in a solid pack tightly together and may form crystals. SolidĪ solid is a state of matter with a defined shape and volume. But, scientists are discovering new states of matter that exist under extreme conditions. The four fundamental states of matter are solids, liquids, gases, and plasma. So, if you take ice, melt it, and then boil it, its state of matter changes, but it’s always water. But, when matter changes state, its identity remains the same. We can change the energy of matter by altering its temperature or pressure, causing matter to transition from one state to another. Basically, the state of matter of a substance depends on how much energy its particles have. States of matter describe the qualities displayed by matter. Sometimes these particles are tightly bound and close together, while other times particles are loosely connected and widely separated. It consists of subatomic particles, atoms, ions, and compounds.
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Here is a look at the states of matter, their properties, and the names of phase transitions between them. Other states of matter also exist, although they require special conditions. The four states of matter observed in everyday life are solids, liquids, and gases.
States of matter are forms in which matter exists. The four main states of matter are solids, liquids, gases, and plasma. This entry was posted on Augby Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 9, 2022)