States of matter. Computer illustration showing the three states of matter (solid,liquid and gas) in a petri dish,beaker and gas jar,respectively,with arrows showing how each can be converted to another and back again. Molecules are in constant motion. In solids,the molecules have a strong attraction,are close together and have limited motion. In a liquid,the molecules have more energy,which enables them to overcome some of the attraction and move more freely. In a gas,attraction between particles is minimised and they move freely throughout the container |