Middle School
States of Matter
Heat controls how molecules move. Cold molecules lock together and vibrate as a solid, warm ones slide past each other as a liquid, and hot ones fly apart as a gas. Drag the temperature to see it happen.
Thermal energy controls molecular motion, spacing, and state of matter.
Solid (<0°C) Liquid (0–100°C) Gas (>100°C)
Current State
Solid (Ice)
Kinetic Motion
Vibrating in Place
Molecular Bonds
Rigid & Locked
Shape & Volume
Fixed Shape & Volume