Each phase of matter has its own chemical and physical properties.
Phases of Matter
The phases of matter are:
- Solid – which has a definite shape and volume
- Liquid – which has a definite volume, but can change shape
- Gas - the shape and volume of a gas can change
Phase Changes of Matter
There are several ways in which phases of matter can change from one to another:
- Melting - melting occurs when a substance changes from a solid to a liquid
- Boiling - boiling is when a substance changes from a liquid to a gas
- Condensing - condensation is when a gas changes to a liquid
- Freezing - freezing is when a liquid changes to a solid
Classes of Changes in Matter
The changes that take place in substances may be categorized in two classes:
- Physical Change – a new substance is not produced and just the physical properties are changed. For example - phase changes, or crushing a can
- Chemical Change – a new substance is produced with different chemical properties. For example: burning, rusting, and photosynthesis.
Solutions
Sometimes, when two or more substances are combined it results in a solution. Making a solution can produce either a physical or chemical change. When there’s a physical change in a solution, the original substances can be separated from one another. If a chemical change takes place while creating a solution, the original substances cannot be separated from one another.
