States of Matter

From Bose-Einstein Condensate to Plasma — drag the slider

Energy
250 K
Solid

What's happening

Particles vibrate in fixed positions. Strong bonds keep them locked in a lattice structure.

Particle speed

Particle freedom

The energy continuum
BEC~0 K
SolidLow
LiquidMedium
GasHigh
PlasmaVery high

Key insight

All states of matter exist on an energy continuum. As you add energy, particles move faster and break free from bonds. BEC and Plasma are the two extremes — in BEC, particles lose their individuality and merge; in Plasma, atoms lose their electrons and become ionised.

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