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They are known as solid objects that occur in this state of matter. Along with the other two (liquid and gaseous), these make up the three possible states classically recognized.
Some incorporate a fourth state, that of plasma, only feasible low temperatures and extremely high pressures, in which the impacts between the electrons would be very violent, which is why they would tend to separate from the nucleus.
At solid state, the particles that make up matter are held together by very strong attractive forces, which makes them stay fixed and can only vibrate in place.
In the liquids, the interparticle attraction is less, they can vibrate but also move and collide with each other. In gases, there is almost no interparticle attraction, the particles are well separated and can move in all directions quickly.
See also: Examples of liquid, solid and gaseous
Characteristics of solids
To the solid They are characterized by certain properties, basically, that have constant shape and volume and are not compressibleIn other words, they cannot be “shrunk” by squeezing or squashing them. However, many of them are deformable or have other mechanical properties (for example, they can be elastic).
On the other hand, it is known that increase in volume when heated and decrease in volume when cooled; These phenomena are known as expansion and contraction, respectively. They often form structures of a certain regularity, such as crystalline ones; this regularity is perceived only by microscopic observation.
They can also be amorphous. They are generally rather rigid and high density, although some solids (especially synthetic) have low density, among them certain expanded polystyrenes (Styrofoam).
Changes in the states of the matter
Due to the action of changes in pressure and temperature, solids can change their state. The passing of solid to liquid it is known as fusion; the one from solid to gas, like sublimation. In turn, the gas can be transformed into a solid by sublimation and the liquid does the same by solidification.
The temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid state is known as melting temperature, and it is one of the constants that characterizes it, as well as being important when thinking about its possible uses.
See also:
- Examples of liquid state
- Examples of gaseous state
Examples of solids
- Table salt
- Diamond
- Sulfur
- Quartz
- Mica
- Iron
- Table sugar
- Magnetite
- Ilita
- Kaolin
- Sand
- Graphite
- Obsidian
- Feldspar
- Cast
- Borosilicate
- Mineral carbon
- Silicon
- Limonite
- Chalcopyrite
