States of Matter
by ArcadeLabA box of particles that shows why ice, water, and steam are the same stuff. Slide from cold to hot and watch a locked, vibrating solid loosen into a flowing liquid and then break apart into a free-flying gas — and cool it back down to reverse every step. The particles move faster and glow warmer as the temperature climbs, making the link between heat, particle speed, and state of matter clear and tangible.
Frequently asked
What are the three states of matter shown here?
Solid, liquid, and gas. In a solid the particles are locked in a neat pattern and only vibrate. In a liquid they slide past each other and flow. In a gas they fly freely and spread out to fill the space.
How does heat change the state of matter?
Heat gives particles energy to move faster. Enough heat lets a solid's particles break free and flow as a liquid, and even more heat lets them escape into a gas. Cooling takes energy away and the changes reverse.
Is it the same material in all three states?
Yes. Ice, liquid water, and steam are all water — the same particles, just moving at different speeds. Changing state does not change what the substance is made of.