TEAS® Science Study Guide
States of Matter
Matter exists in three states the TEAS focuses on:
- Solid — Definite shape and volume. Particles packed tightly, barely moving.
- Liquid — Definite volume, takes the shape of its container. Particles slide past one another.
- Gas — No definite shape or volume; fills its container. Particles move fast and spread out.
More heat means more particle motion (kinetic energy), which pushes matter from solid toward gas.
Phase changes
- Melting (solid → liquid) and freezing (liquid → solid)
- Vaporization (liquid → gas) and condensation (gas → liquid)
- Sublimation (solid → gas directly, like dry ice)
Terms to know
- Kinetic energy — Energy of motion; increases with temperature.
- Sublimation — Solid changing straight to gas.
- Condensation — Gas changing to liquid.
What the TEAS asks most
- Which state has a definite volume but no definite shape? Liquid.
- What happens to particle motion as temperature rises? It increases.
- What is solid-to-gas called? Sublimation.
- Which state has particles packed most tightly? Solid.