Changes in the state of matter occur when energy is added to or removed from a substance, causing its particles to rearrange and transition between solid, liquid, and gas phases.
These transitions include:
Melting:
Solid to liquid.
Occurs when a solid absorbs heat, causing its particles to vibrate more until they break free from their fixed positions.
Example: Ice melting into water.
Freezing:
Liquid to solid.
Happens when a liquid loses heat, causing particles to slow down and settle into fixed positions.
Example: Water freezing into ice.
Vaporization:
Liquid to gas.
Occurs in two forms: evaporation (surface molecules gain enough energy to become gas) and boiling (entire liquid reaches boiling point).
Example: Water boiling into steam.
Condensation:
Gas to liquid.
Gas particles lose energy, slow down, and form a liquid.
Example: Steam condensing into water droplets.
Sublimation:
Solid to gas without becoming a liquid.
Example: Dry ice (solid CO₂) turning directly into gas.
Deposition:
Gas to solid without becoming a liquid.
Example: Frost forming on a cold surface.
