In the solid state, the individual particles of a substance are in fixed positions with respect to each other because there is not enough thermal energy to overcome the intermolecular interactions between the particles. As a result, solids have a definite shape and volume.

solid

Particles in a solid have fixed locations in a volume that does not change. Solids have a definite volume and shape because particles in a solid vibrate around fixed locations.

The volume of a solid is the measure of how much space an object takes up. It is measured by the number of unit cubes it takes to fill up the solid. Counting the unit cubes in the solid, we have 30 unit cubes, so the volume is: 2 units⋅3 units⋅5 units = 30 cubic units.

A liquid has a definite volume. A liquid will always take up the same amount of space and take the shape of its container. Give an easy to understand example, such as juice, milk or the water in a pool.

Solid is the state in which matter maintains a fixed volume and shape; liquid is the state in which matter adapts to the shape of its container but varies only slightly in volume; and gas is the state in which matter expands to occupy the volume and shape of its container.

Examples of solids are common table salt, table sugar, water ice, frozen carbon dioxide (dry ice), glass, rock, most metals, and wood. When a solid is heated, the atoms or molecules gain kinetic energy .

Water, coke, shakes, oil are examples of liquid. It has no shape or size of its own. It takes the shape of its container and occupies the space given to it.

What is one physical characteristic of a solid? Solids can be hard like a rock, soft like fur, a big rock like an asteroid, or small rocks like grains of sand. The key is that solids hold their shape and they don’t flow like a liquid.

What does “definite” mean? The term definite means that a shape and volume of a pencil won’t change as you move the pencil from a desk drawer to a pencil case to a backpack. The term definite doesn’t mean that the shape or volume will never change. Bending a wire can change the shape of a solid but it is still a solid.

clearly defined or determined; not vague or general; fixed; precise; exact: a definite quantity; definite directions. having fixed limits; bounded with precision: a definite area. positive; certain; sure: It is definite that he will take the job.

We look at five states of matter on the site. Solids, liquids, gases, plasmas, and Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) are different states of matter that have different physical properties.