What are the three states of matter?

The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. This classification is based on the arrangement and movement of particles in a substance.

In solids, particles are closely packed together and vibrate in fixed positions, giving them a definite shape and volume. In liquids, particles are still close but can move around more freely, allowing them to take the shape of their container while maintaining a fixed volume. Gases have particles that are far apart and move rapidly, which means that they can fill the volume of the container they are in and have neither a definite shape nor a fixed volume.

While other options include terms like plasma, vapor, and energy, they do not represent the fundamental categories of matter in the same way. Plasma, for instance, is a state of matter that occurs at very high temperatures and involves ionized gas, but it is not one of the three primary states typically discussed in basic science education. Similarly, the term "vapor" refers to the gaseous state of a substance that is usually liquid or solid at room temperature, and "energy" is a separate concept related to the ability to do work, rather than a state of matter.