Changing States: The Transformation Game
Matter is any physical substance with mass that takes up space, and it can transform between the three states by adding or removing heat energy. These changes are called interconversions and they're happening around you constantly.
The key interconversions include melting (solid to liquid), boiling (liquid to gas), freezing (liquid to solid), and condensation (gas to liquid). There's also sublimation where solids jump straight to gas (like dry ice) and deposition where gases become solids directly.
When you heat matter, you're giving particles more energy to move faster and overcome the forces holding them together. Cool it down, and you're taking energy away, making particles move slower and stick together more.
Exam Focus: Learn the names of all seven state changes - they're guaranteed to appear in your chemistry tests!