Notes for States of Matter/Boiling, Melting and Freezing Points/ and Changes in Matter Matter can be described as anything that takes up space and has mass. There are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Solids have a definite shape and volume. The particles are tightly packed and move very slowly. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of the container they are in. The particles are farther apart. The particles move and slide past each other. Gases have no volume or shape. The particles move freely and rapidly. The boiling, freezing and melting points are constant for each type of matter. For water, the boiling point is 100°C/ freezing and melting points are 0°C. Adding salt to water decreases the freezing point of water. That is why salt is put on icy roads in the winter or why salt is added to an old-fashioned ice cream maker. Adding salt to water increases the boiling point of water. States of matter can be changed by adding or lessening heat. When a substance is heated, the particles move rapidly. Heated solid turns into liquid and heated liquid turns into gas. Removing heat (cooling) turns gas into liquid and turns liquid into solid. Evaporation happens when a substances is heated. Condensation happens when a substance is cooled. Notes for States of Matter/Boiling, Melting and Freezing Points/ and Changes in Matter Matter can be described as anything that takes up space and has mass. There are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Solids have a definite shape and volume. The particles are tightly packed and move very slowly. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of the container they are in. The particles are farther apart. The particles move and slide past each other. Gases have no volume or shape. The particles move freely and rapidly. The boiling, freezing and melting points are constant for each type of matter. For water, the boiling point is 100°C/ freezing and melting points are 0°C. Adding salt to water decreases the freezing point of water. That is why salt is put on icy roads in the winter or why salt is added to an old-fashioned ice cream maker. Adding salt to water increases the boiling point of water. States of matter can be changed by adding or lessening heat. When a substance is heated, the particles move rapidly. Heated solid turns into liquid and heated liquid turns into gas. Removing heat (cooling) turns gas into liquid and turns liquid into solid. Evaporation happens when a substances is heated. Condensation happens when a substance is cooled. .