states of matter

• solids


  • strong forces of attraction between particles
  • held close together in fixed positions to form a regular lattice structure
  • particle vibrate about their positions
  • keep shape
• liquids


  • weak forces of attraction
  • randomly arranged and free to move past each other but stay closely together
  • have definite volume but not shape
  • particles constantly moving with random motion
• gases


  • weak forces of attraction between particles - free to move and far apart
  • don't keep a definite shape or volume
  • particles move constantly and randomly, the hotter the gas, the faster they move.