answersLogoWhite

0

Matter is generally found in three states (solid, liquid or gas) because we chose that as a way to look at stuff. We come into contact with most matter within a "window" of temperatures. And that matter will be solid, liquid or gas. Let's look at the relationship between temperature and the state of matter of a some stuff. When things are at room temperature, water is liquid. We can get a drink of iced tea using a glass vessel. The glass is a solid at room temperature. So is the spoon we use to stir in a bit of sugar. We're breathing air all this time. The elements of air are gases at room temperature. It's temperature that the various materials around us are responding to, and that's pretty much what determines the state of matter of a given material. Glass is liquid when it's being manufactured. The spoon was created from iron what was a liquid. It's hot in those places where liquid glass or liquid metal is. If we subject anything to an electric arc, we can heat it so much, it will turn to a gas. On the other end of the spectrum, water will turn to ice if it gets cold enough. We've seen that out the window or in the ice cubes in a drink. Under special conditions, we can even get air to liquify, and gases to solidify. (Helium is the exception.) Why is matter found in three states? It's all about the stuff that's being considered and temperature of that stuff. We've left out a couple of other states of matter. One is plasma. The sun is a plasma. It's terribly hot there. That electric arc we mentioned is so hot it generates a plasma. (So does lightning.) And there are some really weird things going on near absolute zero. Get a good handle on the basic there states of matter and then start looking at plasma and at things like Bose-Einstein condensates.

User Avatar

Wiki User

17y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the substance that is found in all three states of matter?

Water is a substance that can exist in all three states of matter. It is a solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor) at different temperatures and pressures.


In what three states of matter can water be found on earth?

Water can be found on Earth in three states of matter: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam).


What is the only item found on earth in three different phases of matter at standard pressure?

Water is the only item found on earth in three different phases of matter at standard pressure.


What is the only substance on earth that can be found in all three states of matter?

Water is the only substance that can be found in all three states of matter: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor).


Are there only three states of matter in the universe?

There are three classical states of matter:SolidLiquidGasThere is a fourth state called Plasma, a high energy state found in lightening bolts and the stars.


What are three different physical states in which water can commemly be found on earth?

The three different physical states in which water can commemly be found on earth are solid, liquid, and gas.


The three states of matter are?

the 4 different states of matter are1.solids2.liquids3.gases4.plasma


What are thee three states of matter?

The three states of matter are : Liquid, Gas, Solid


How are three states of matter similar?

they all are the three states of matter and they all have mass.


How are He and Nitrogen different forms of matter?

There are classically three states of matter -- solid, liquid and gas. Helium and Nitrogen are gasses.


What are the three states of matter in chemistry?

Gases, Liquids and Solids they are the three states of matter in chemistry.


What chemical compound can be three different states of matter but not at the same time?

Water could be found at 3 different states but not at the same time. For example, it starts out as ice (solid state), then liquidifies (liquid state) and then steam/water vapour (gas state). Bare in mind that to go from each of these states, it requires energy.