Basic Concepts of Matter

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atom

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the basic unit of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical means

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gas

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a state of matter that has a nonrigid structure, no definite shape, and no definite volume; its particles have enough kinetic energy to move freely and independently

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kinetic energy

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the energy of motion

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liquid

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a state of matter that has a nonrigid structure, no definite shape, and a definite volume; its particles have only enough kinetic energy to slide past each other

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molecule

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a particle composed of two or more atoms joined together

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solid

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a state of matter that has a rigid structure, a definite shape, and a definite volume; its particles have only enough kinetic energy to vibrate in place

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structure

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the arrangement of particles in a substance

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volume

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the amount of three-dimensional space a substance occupies