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States of matter

Solid, liquid and gas are called the three states of matter.

Materials can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling.

Heating

• If ice (solid) is heated, it changes to water (liquid). This change is called melting.

• If water (liquid) is heated, it changes to water vapour (gas). This change is called evaporation.

Cooling

• If water vapour (gas) is cooled, it changes to water (liquid). This change is called condensing.

• If water (liquid) is cooled, it changes to ice (solid). This change is called freezing.