What causes matter to exist in three different states

NOT 100% SURE

Thermal Energy ... ?

When I think of three states of matter I think of water as an example:

• Adding extreme heat to the liquid form of water can turn it into gas.

• Adding heat to ice can turn it into the liquid form of water.

• Freezing the liquid form of water can turn it into ice.

I would say temperature (thermal energy) has an effect of the different states of matter.