There is a lot of confusion surrounding the difference between phase of matter and state of matter. In this blog post, we will clear up any misconceptions and help you understand the differences between these two terms. We will start by discussing phase of matter, followed by state of matter. Finally, we will provide some examples to help make things clearer. Let’s get started!
What is the Phase Of Matter?
Phase of matter is the physical form that a substance takes. The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. A fourth state, plasma, can be formed when certain gases are heated to extremely high temperatures. The phase of a substance can change depending on temperature and pressure. For example, water freezes into a solid at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) and boils into a gas at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius). Phase changes can also be caused by changes in pressure. For example, when atmospheric pressure is increased, the boiling point of water increases. Phase changes are an important part of the water cycle, as well as other processes on Earth.
What is the State Of Matter?
State of matter is the physical form that a substance takes. The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. A fourth state, plasma, is sometimes included as well. The State of matter of a substance depends on its temperature. At low temperatures, atoms and molecules move slowly and are relatively close together. This results in a solid state of matter. As the temperature increases, the atoms or molecules move faster and farther apart, resulting in a liquid state of matter.
If the temperature is increased even more, the atoms or molecules will move so fast that they will escape into the air, resulting in a gas state of matter. Plasma is a special State of matter that occurs at very high temperatures, such as those found in lightning or in the sun. In plasma, atoms become ionized, meaning that they lose electrons. This makes them electrically charged and allows them to interact strongly with each other.
Difference between Phase Of Matter and State Of Matter
- Phase Of Matter and the State Of Matter are two states of physical matter. Both Phase Of Matter and the State Of Matter exist in nature. The main difference between the Phase Of Matter and the State Of Matter is that the Phase Of Matter is the result of changes in the temperature or pressure whereas the State Of Matter is the result of changes in entropy. Phase transitions occur when there is a change in either temperature or pressure, and this results in changes in the Phase Of Matter. For example, water exists in three different phases – solid, liquid, and gas.
- When water is heated, it changes from a solid to a liquid (melting point), and when it is cooled, it changes from a liquid to a solid (freezing point). Similarly, when water is heated beyond its boiling point, it changes from a liquid to a gas (vaporization), and when it is cooled below its boiling point, it changes from a gas to a liquid (condensation). All these changes are due to changes in temperature or pressure. On the other hand, State transitions occur when there is a change in entropy.
- For example, all solids have low entropy whereas all gases have high entropy. When a solid gains enough energy (heat), it changes to a gas. This change of state is known as sublimation. All these changes are due to changes in entropy. Therefore, the main difference between Phase Of Matter and the State Of Matter is that Phase Of Matter is the result of changes in the temperature or pressure whereas the State Of Matter is the result of changes in the entropy.
Conclusion
In summary, phase of matter is the physical state of a substance, while the state of matter refers to its thermal energy. The three primary states are solid, liquid and gas. There are also two plasma phases- glow discharge and arc discharge. Finally, there is the Bose-Einstein condensate which is a fourth phase that exists at very low temperatures. Plasma phases can be further divided into metals and semiconductors depending on how their electrons behave. With this understanding in place, you should now be able to identify the state of matter for any given material as well as what conditions must be met in order for it to change phases.
