Which of the following is not a state of matter?

Study for the GACE Elementary Education II Test. Prep with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a state of matter?

Explanation:
States of matter describe forms based on how tightly particles are arranged and how they move: in a solid they’re packed tightly and vibrate in place, in a liquid they can flow past one another, and in a gas they spread out and fill the space available. An atom, however, is the basic unit that makes up all matter, not a form or phase of matter itself. So while solids, liquids, and gases are states of matter, an atom is not. (If you’re curious, plasma is another state of matter at very high energy, but it isn’t needed for this question.)

States of matter describe forms based on how tightly particles are arranged and how they move: in a solid they’re packed tightly and vibrate in place, in a liquid they can flow past one another, and in a gas they spread out and fill the space available. An atom, however, is the basic unit that makes up all matter, not a form or phase of matter itself. So while solids, liquids, and gases are states of matter, an atom is not. (If you’re curious, plasma is another state of matter at very high energy, but it isn’t needed for this question.)

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