How is mass different in solid liquid and gas?

Answer 1

In a gas, the molecules are not linked together with other gas molecules. They collide, but they don't form cluster.

In a liquid, the individual molecules form small chains. These chains cluster together, but can move with some freedom amongst each other.

In a solid, the atoms are arranged in a 3 dimensional lattice. It is very rigid, and the atoms don't move around. They vibrate in place. The molecules in a solid are not distinct. For example, salt is made up of sodium and chlorine. But it isn't individual molecules of sodium chloride. It is a big lattice of alternating sodium and chlorine atoms. So a sodium atom has a chlorine atom to the left and right, above and below, in front and in back. Also, each chlorine atom is surrounded by sodium atoms in the same way.

There are more complicated solids. A lot of plastics have molecules which are huge. These molecules lay somewhat randomly among each other like in a liquid, but they also bond to each other strongly, so they can't move around. So, even though there is not a regular crystal lattice, the material is solid.