What is a matter?
Common definition
The common definition of matter is anything which both occupies space and has mass. For example, a car would be said to be made of matter, as it occupies space, and has mass. In chemistry, this is often taken to mean what atoms and molecules are made of, meaning anything made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. For example, phosphorus sesquisulfide is a molecule made of four atoms of phosphorus, and three of sulfur (see image on right), and is thus considered to be matter.
What are the Phases of Matter
The 4 phases of matter are Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma.
Solid
Main article: Solid
Solids are characterized by a tendency to retain their structural integrity; if left on their own, they will not spread in the same way gas or liquids would. Many solids, like rocks and concrete, have very high hardness and rigidity and will tend to break or shatter when subject to various forms of stress, but others like steel and paper are more flexible and will bend. Solids are often composed of crystals, glasses, or long chain molecules (e.g. rubber and paper).
Liquid
Main article: Liquid
In a liquid, the molecules are frequently touching, but able to move around each other. So unlike a gas, it has cohesion and viscosity. While unlike a solid, it is not highly rigid.
Gas
Main article: Gas
A gas is a substance composed of small molecules which are spaced far enough apart from each other that they rarely interact and do not impeded each others' motion. Thus a gas has no resistance to changing shape (beyond the inertia of the molecules which have to be knocked aside).
Plasma
Main article: Plasma
A plasma is a gas which is so hot that many of the molecules are electrically charged. Thus it interacts with electric and magnetic fields.
Gas and Plasma are they the same?
Yes, in nature but No, in the characteristics.
How do Gas and Plasma differ?
They differ because plasma is packed with energy that they can interact with other molecules.
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