What are the three fundamental states of matter?

• A. Plasma, solid, and liquid
• B. Gas, plasma, and liquid
• C. Liquid, gas, and plasma
• D. Solid, liquid, and gas

Answer: (D)

Matter can exist in different forms depending on how much energy its particles have. The three basic states you learn in 7th grade are solid, liquid, and gas. In a solid, particles are tightly packed and vibrate in place, giving the substance a definite shape and volume. In a liquid, particles can slide past one another, so it has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container. In a gas, particles are far apart and move freely, so it fills both the shape and the volume of its container. Plasma is a high-energy state where atoms are ionized, found in stars and some high-energy sources, but it’s treated as a separate state rather than one of the three basic ones. That’s why solid, liquid, and gas are the standard trio. For example, ice, water, and steam illustrate the three states.