Question

How many states of matter exist?

Answer 1

Hint : The states of matter can be considered as the specific states in which the different matter can exist. The states of matter define the physical property of the matter and the nature of the molecular structure. The fourth state of matter has no fixed shape or volume like gases, and is less dense than solids or liquids.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
We know from our junior classes that there are three states of matter, that are solid, liquid and gas. Each state of matter differs in their properties.
Solid: We already know that in a solid, constituent particles (ions, atoms, or molecules) are closely packed together. The forces between particles are so strong that the particles cannot move freely but can only vibrate. As a result, a solid has a stable, definite shape, and a definite volume. Solids can only change their shape by an outside force, as when broken or cut.
Liquid: We know that a liquid is a nearly incompressible fluid that conforms to the shape of its container but retains a (nearly) constant volume independent of pressure.
Gas: We know that a gas is a compressible fluid. Not only will a gas conform to the shape of its container but it will also expand to fill the container.
Fourth state of matter is: Plasma state: We should know that plasma is a state of matter that is often thought of as a subset of gases, but the two states behave very differently. Like gases, plasmas have no fixed shape or volume, and are less dense than solids or liquids. But unlike ordinary gases, plasmas are made up of atoms in which some or all of the electrons have been stripped away and positively charged nuclei, called ions, roam freely.
Fifth state of matter is: Bose - Einstein condensate [BEC] : About Bose-Einstein condensate, we should know that it is a group of atoms cooled to within a hair of absolute zero. When they reach that temperature the atoms are hardly moving relative to each other; they have almost no free energy to do so. At that point, the atoms begin to clump together, and enter the same energy states. They become identical, from a physical point of view, and the whole group starts behaving as though it were a single atom.

Note :
We should know that a state of matter is also characterized by phase transitions. We should know that the state or phase of a given set of matter can change depending on pressure and temperature conditions, transitioning to other phases as these conditions change to favour their existence; for example, solid transitions to liquid with an increase in temperature. Near absolute zero, a substance exists as a solid.