- #1
Sciencekid
- 6
- 1
For school my teacher told me there were 3 states of matter but the internet told me there were 5. Help?
States of Matter: 3 vs 5? School Help
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the classification of states of matter, specifically the discrepancy between the commonly taught three states (solid, liquid, gas) and the five states mentioned online, including plasma and potentially others. The scope includes conceptual understanding and educational perspectives.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Homework-related
Main Points Raised
- Some participants assert that traditional education typically teaches three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
- Others propose that plasma should be recognized as a fourth classical state, highlighting its occurrence in natural phenomena like lightning and flames.
- One participant emphasizes the complexity of classifying materials like tarmac and rocks, suggesting that real-world examples often challenge simplified educational models.
- Another participant argues that schools should include more states of matter in their curriculum, at least plasma, due to its common occurrence.
- There is a suggestion that understanding advanced states of matter may require knowledge of quantum mechanics.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the number of states of matter, with some advocating for the inclusion of additional states beyond the traditional three, while others acknowledge the limitations of simplified educational frameworks. No consensus is reached regarding the classification.
Contextual Notes
Participants note that the definitions and classifications of states of matter may depend on specific contexts and conditions, such as extreme environments or quantum effects, which are not typically covered in basic education.
- #2
AlephZero
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 6,999
- 299
If you count all the things that can happen at extreme conditions (including things that theoretically might happen but have not yet been observed) there are a lot more than five.
I guess you teacher's three were solid, liquid, and gas. You could add plasma as a fourth "classical" state. You can think of a plasma as being a like gas, but where all the electrons have been separated from the nuclei of the atoms, so every particle has its own electric charge. It occurs naturally in lightning strikes, electric sparks, and sometimes in flames.
Unless you just want a list of names, you can't really understand any of the other states of matter without first learning about quantum mechanics.
I guess you teacher's three were solid, liquid, and gas. You could add plasma as a fourth "classical" state. You can think of a plasma as being a like gas, but where all the electrons have been separated from the nuclei of the atoms, so every particle has its own electric charge. It occurs naturally in lightning strikes, electric sparks, and sometimes in flames.
Unless you just want a list of names, you can't really understand any of the other states of matter without first learning about quantum mechanics.
- #3
sophiecentaur
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 30,409
- 7,475
Sciencekid said:
It's difficult, in School, to understand where the simplified statements you get in your Science lessons apply to the real world you see. Many substances you see around you just do not fit into the simple descriptions of the states of matter you are taught. How would you classify the Tarmac you drive cars on? It flows, over time yet will support large weights for long periods. Solid or liquid? Likewise, the (very solid?) rocks of the Earth will move when the pressures are great enough.
If you are told that you will need to 'know' the three states of matter then it's best to accept that is all you will be tested on. Don't get upset that your extra knowledge seems to contradict it. The examples you get told about in School are the simple ones and are easy to classify. Don't go looking for trouble - life's too short.
Just keep thinking.- #4
Physicist50
Gold Member
- 45
- 0
You're right, Sciencekid, schools probably should teach you about the five states of matter. Even if not Bose-Einstein Condensates, at least plasma, seeing as it's such a common phenomena
Similar threads
- · Replies 5 ·
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 6 ·
- · Replies 5 ·
High School
High School Physics Presentation Ideas?”
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 4 ·
- · Replies 14 ·
- · Replies 171 ·
High School
Popular talks by PhD students, May 27
- · Replies 0 ·
- · Replies 18 ·