Understanding States of Matter and Physical Transformations

Change refers to the process or result of becoming different, not staying the same, disappearing, or multiplying.

In this context, 'state' refers to the overall organization or form of something, not any other possible meanings such as speaking aloud, geographical areas, or food preservation.

Solids are substances that have a fixed shape and volume. They do not take the shape of their container, unlike liquids. Solids have a definite shape and volume regardless of the container they are placed in.

A liquid is characterized by its ability to flow and take the shape of its container, unlike solids which maintain their shape and volume.

Gas is a state of matter that is neither liquid nor solid, consisting of particles that are spread out and move freely. It is different from a fuel, a state found only in space, or a solid material used in construction.

Melting specifically refers to the transition from a solid to a liquid state due to increased temperature, not to other phase transitions.

Freezing is the phase transition of a substance from liquid to solid as it loses heat energy and its temperature decreases.

Evaporation specifically refers to the change from a liquid to a vapor state, not involving solids or gases directly. It is influenced by temperature and pressure changes.

Boiling specifically refers to the action of heating a liquid until it reaches its boiling point and turns into vapor. The other options describe different processes not related to boiling.

Condensation specifically refers to the phase change from vapor to liquid when in contact with a cool surface. The other incorrect answers describe sublimation, vaporization, and deposition, respectively.

Sublimation is a phase transition where a solid transitions directly into a gas without passing through the liquid phase. It is the opposite of deposition and occurs when the vapor pressure of the solid exceeds the partial pressure of the gas in the surroundings.

The process of ice melting involves a change from a solid state to a liquid state due to an increase in temperature. Boiling water, burning wood, and freezing yogurt all involve different processes and do not represent a physical change from solid to liquid.

Freezing is the process in which a liquid turns into a solid. Ice cream hardening in the freezer is an example of this change, as the liquid ice cream solidifies into a solid state when exposed to cold temperatures. Boiling water, melting butter, and evaporating alcohol do not involve a change from liquid to solid, making them incorrect choices.

The process of clothes drying involves the liquid (water) turning into gas (water vapor) without changing the chemical composition of the clothes. This is a clear example of a physical change from liquid to gas.

Physical change involves the change in state without altering the chemical composition of the substance. In the case of condensation, gas molecules lose energy and come together to form liquid droplets, as seen in the water droplets forming on a cold glass.

Sublimation is the process where a solid transitions directly into a gas without passing through the liquid state. In the case of dry ice, it sublimes into carbon dioxide fog.