States of Matter and Phase Change Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to states of matter, phase changes, and thermal energy.

Thermal Energy

Energy within the moving particles of matter.

Temperature

A measure of the kinetic energy in a substance.

Solid

A state of matter that has a definite shape and a definite volume.

Liquid

The state of matter that has a definite volume but not a definite shape.

Gas

A state of matter that does not have a definite volume or shape.

Plasma

A state of matter made of ionized gas that is superheated.

Ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge.

Vaporization

The change of state from a liquid to a gas.

Sublimation

A change directly from the solid to the gaseous state without becoming liquid.

Deposition

A change directly from a gas to a solid, without becoming a liquid.

Condensation

A change from a gas back to a liquid.

Endothermic reaction

A reaction in which energy is absorbed.

Exothermic reaction

A chemical reaction in which heat is released to the surroundings.

Thermal expansion

Property of matter that describes how the volume of a substance expands when it is heated.