What are the three states of matter?

The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. These classifications are based on the arrangement and behavior of particles in different conditions.

In solids, particles are closely packed together in a fixed arrangement, which gives solids a definite shape and volume. In liquids, the particles are still close but can move past each other, allowing liquids to take the shape of their container while maintaining a fixed volume. In gases, the particles are much farther apart and move freely, resulting in no definite shape or volume; gases expand to fill their container.

The other choices provide variations of these states or include different phases, such as ice (a solid), water (a liquid), and vapor (often understood as a gas), or introduce plasma, which is less commonly encountered in everyday scenarios but also considered a state of matter. Nonetheless, the classic and universally accepted states of matter remain solid, liquid, and gas.