What is the difference among the states of matter at the atomic level?

States of Matter

Gases, liquids and solids are all made up of microscopic particles, but the behaviors of these particles differ in the three phases.

Note that:

Particles in a:

gas are well separated with no regular arrangement.

liquid are close together with no regular arrangement.

solid are tightly packed, usually in a regular pattern.

Particles in a:

gas vibrate and move freely at high speeds.

liquid vibrate, move about, and slide past each other.

solid vibrate (jiggle) but generally do not move from place to place.

Liquids and solids are often referred to as condensed phases because the particles are very close together.

The following table summarizes properties of gases, liquids, and solids and identifies the microscopic behavior responsible for each property.

Some Characteristics of Gases, Liquids and Solids and the Microscopic Explanation for the Behavior

gas liquid solid

assumes the shape and volume of its container

particles can move past one another assumes the shape of the part of the container which it occupies

particles can move/slide past one another retains a fixed volume and shape

rigid - particles locked into place

compressible

lots of free space between particles not easily compressible

little free space between particles not easily compressible

little free space between particles

flows easily

particles can move past one another flows easily

particles can move/slide past one another