What are the phases of matter?

The phases of matter are primarily classified into four states: solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas.

In solids, particles are closely packed together in a fixed arrangement, giving them a definite shape and volume. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container, as the particles are less tightly packed and can move around more freely. Gases, on the other hand, have neither a defined shape nor a fixed volume; the particles are far apart and move freely, filling the entirety of their container. Plasmas are similar to gases in that they don't have a definite shape or volume, but they consist of charged particles and are found in environments with very high energy, such as stars, including the sun.

While other options might include some states related to phase transitions or specific forms of matter, they do not encompass the full range of fundamental phases recognized in chemistry and physics. Understanding these phases is crucial as they represent different arrangements and behaviors of matter under varying temperatures and pressures.