Phases+of+Matter

Taken from About.com - Chemistry Each phase of matter has its own chemical and physical properties. The phases of matter you need to know are: **Phase Changes** These phases of matter can change from one to another. Remember the definitions of the following phase changes: ** Physical & Chemical Changes ** The changes that take place in substances may be categorized in two classes:
 * **Solid** - a solid has a definite shape and volume
 * **Liquid** - a liquid has a definite volume, but can change shape
 * **Gas** - the shape and volume of a gas can change
 * **Melting** - melting occurs when a substance changes from a solid to a liquid
 * **Boiling** - boiling is when a substance changes from a liquid to a gas
 * **Condensing** - condensation is when a gas changes to a liquid
 * **Freezing** - freezing is when a liquid changes to a solid
 * **Physical Change** - does not produce a new substance (e.g., phase changes, crushing a can)
 * **Chemical Change** - produces a new substance (e.g., burning, rusting, photosynthesis)