Comparison Chart

Basis for
Solid Liquid Gas
Comparison
Solid refers to a form of Gas refers to a state of
Liquid is a substance,
matter which has matter, do not have any
that flows freely,
structural rigidity and shape but conform to the
Meaning having a definite
has a firm shape which shape of the container,
volume but no
cannot be changed completely, in which it is
permanent shape.
easily. put in.
Shape and No fixed shape but Neither definite shape nor
Fixed shape and volume.
Volume has volume. volume.
Energy Lowest Medium Highest
Compressibility Difficult Nearly difficult Easy
Arrangement of Regular and closely Random and little Random and more sparsely
molecules arranged. sparsely arranged. arranged.
Flows from higher to
Fluidity Cannot flow Flows in all directions.
lower level.
Molecular Negligible molecular Brownian molecular Free, constant and random
motion motion motion molecular motion.
Intermolecular
Very less More Large
space
Intermolecular
Maximum Medium Minimum
attraction
Faster than gas but
Sound speed Fastest Lowest among all
slower than solid
Don't need container, for Cannot be stored Needs closed container for
Storage
storage. without container. storage.

Definition of Solid

By the term solid we mean the type of matter which is rigid in structure and opposes the
change in its shape and volume. The particles of a solid are tightly bound and well-arranged
in a regular pattern, which does not allow the particles to move freely from one place to
another. The particles continuously vibrate and twist, but there is no motion, as they are too
close to each other.

As the intermolecular attraction is maximum in solids, and because their shape is fixed, and
the particles stay, where they are set. In addition to this, the compression of solid is very
tough, as the spaces between molecules are already very less.

Definition of Liquid

A free flowing substance of constant volume having consistency is called as the liquid. It is a
type of matter which do not have its shape but takes the shape of the vessel, in which it is
held. It contains small particles, which are held tightly by intermolecular bonds. One of the
unique property of liquid is surface tension, a phenomenon which makes the fluid possess the
minimum surface area.

The compression of liquid is a nearly difficult, due to less gap between particles. The
particles are closely bound, but not as tightly as in the case of solid. Thus allowing the
particles to move around and mix with one another.

Definition of Gas

Gas is described as a state of matter which diffuses freely in all directions and fills the entire
space available, regardless of the quantity. It is made up of particle that does not have a
certain shape and volume. The particles can be individual atoms or elemental molecules or
compound molecules.

In gases, the molecules are loosely held, and so there is a lot of space between molecules to
move freely and constantly. Due to this characteristic, the gas has the ability to fill any
container, as well as it can be easily compressed.

Key Differences Between Solid, Liquid and Gas

The difference between solid, liquid and gas can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

1. A substance having structural rigidity and has a firm shape which cannot be changed
easily is called solid. A water-like fluid, that flows freely, having a definite volume but
no permanent shape, is called liquid. Gas refers to a state of matter, do not have any
shape but conform to the shape of the container, completely, in which it is put in.

2. While solids have certain shape and volume, liquids only have definite volume but not
shape, gases neither have shape nor volume.

3. The level of energy is highest in gases, medium in liquid and lowest in solids.

4. The compression of solids is difficult, liquids are nearly incompressible, but gases can
be easily compressed.

5. Molecular arrangement of solids is regular and close, but liquids have irregular and
sparse molecular arrangement and gases, too have random and more sparse
arrangement of molecules.

6. The molecular arrangement in solids is well organised. However, the layers of

molecules slip and slide over one another, in the case of liquids. In contrast, the
particles in gases are not at all organised, due to which the particles move randomly.

7. When it comes to fluidity, solids cannot flow, however, liquids can flow and that also
from the higher level to lower level. As against this gases flows in all directions.

8. The spaces between the molecules and the kinetic energy are minimum in solids,
medium in liquid and maximum in gases. So, the motion of molecules is negligible in
 solids, whereas in liquids, the erratic, random motion of molecules can be seen.
Unlike gases, which have the free, constant and random motion of molecules.

9. In solids, the particles are held tightly by strong intermolecular attraction, although in
liquids the attraction between particles is intermediate. As against this, the particles
are loosely held, because the intermolecular attraction is weak.

10. The speed of sound is highest in solids, while the speed is a bit slower in liquids and
minimum in gases.

11. As solid have a definite shape and size, they do not require a container for storage.
Liquids cannot be stored without a container. Conversely, for storing gases, a closed
container is required.

Change in state of matter

The matter changes its state from one form to another, when heated or cooled, which is
covered under the physical change. So, given below are some processes through which the
state of matter can be changed:

Melting: Process of change of solid into the liquid.

Freezing: The process which helps in transformation of liquid into solid.

Vaporisation: Process used to change liquid into gas.

Condensation: A process in which gas is transformed into liquid.

Sublimation: When solid is changed into gas, it is called as sublimation.

Desposition: The process through which gas is converted into solid.

Conclusion

Hence, in this article we have learnt that matter is present in three states, i.w. Solid, liquid and
gas. Further, the state of matter are interchangeable, i.e. the form can be changed by changing
temperature or pressure.
Table 10.2 Some Common Substances That Are Gases at 25C and 1.0 atm

Elements Compounds
He (helium) HF (hydrogen fluoride) C2H4 (ethylene)
Ne (neon) HCl (hydrogen chloride) C2H2 (acetylene)
Ar (argon) HBr (hydrogen bromide) C3H8 (propane)
Kr (krypton) HI (hydrogen iodide) C4H10 (butane)
Xe (xenon) HCN (hydrogen cyanide)* CO (carbon monoxide)
Rn (radon) H2S (hydrogen sulfide) CO2 (carbon dioxide)
H2 (hydrogen) NH3 (ammonia) NO (nitric oxide)
N2 (nitrogen) PH3 (phosphine) N2O (nitrous oxide)
O2 (oxygen) CH4 (methane) NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)
O3 (ozone) C2H6 (ethane) SO2 (sulfur dioxide)
F2 (fluorine)
Cl2 (chlorine)
*HCN boils at 26C at 1 atm, so it is included in this table.

All of the gaseous substances mentioned previously (other than the monatomic noble gases)
contain covalent or polar covalent bonds and are nonpolar or polar molecules. In contrast, the
strong electrostatic attractions in ionic compounds, such as NaBr (boiling point = 1390C) or
LiF (boiling point = 1673C), prevent them from existing as gases at room temperature and
pressure. In addition, the lightest members of any given family of compounds are most likely
gases, and the boiling points of polar compounds are generally greater than those of nonpolar
compounds of similar molecular mass. Therefore, in a given series of compounds, the lightest
and least polar members are the ones most likely to be gases. With relatively few exceptions,
however, compounds with more than about five atoms from period 2 or below are too heavy
to exist as gases under normal conditions.