Name the three basic states of matter.

• A. Gas
• B. Plasma
• C. Liquid
• D. Solid, Liquid, Gas

Answer: (D)

Matter can exist in different forms based on how its particles are arranged and move. A solid keeps its shape and volume because its particles are tightly packed and only vibrate in place. A liquid retains a definite volume but flows to take the shape of its container because the particles can slide past each other. A gas has neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume; its particles move freely and spread out to fill the space available.

Plasma is also a real state of matter, occurring at very high energy when atoms are ionized (like in stars or lightning). It’s often treated as a separate state beyond the three basic ones, which is why the standard trio used in introductory contexts is solid, liquid, and gas. That’s why the combined set of three names the most fundamental forms.