States of matter quiz: solids, liquids and gases
Ice, water and steam: the science of everyday stuff.
10 multiple-choice questions, with the answer explained after each one.
Answer each question, see why, and beat your best score.
All 10 questions and answers
Want to check an answer or run the quiz out loud? Every question is here, with the answer hidden until you open it.
- What are the three common states of matter?
- Big, medium and small
- Rock, water and air
- Hot, warm and cold
- Solid, liquid and gas
Show answer
Solid, liquid and gas. Plasma is a fourth state, found in stars and lightning.
- What happens when ice melts?
- It changes from a solid to a liquid
- It changes from a gas to a solid
- Nothing changes
- It changes from a liquid to a gas
Show answer
It changes from a solid to a liquid. Heat makes the particles move faster.
- At what temperature does pure water freeze?
- 32 °C
- 10 °C
- −10 °C
- 0 °C
Show answer
0 °C. 32 °F is the same temperature in Fahrenheit.
- At what temperature does water boil at sea level?
- 100 °C
- 90 °C
- 50 °C
- 212 °C
Show answer
100 °C. 212 °F is the same temperature in Fahrenheit.
- Water drops form on a cold glass. What is this called?
- Freezing
- Evaporation
- Melting
- Condensation
Show answer
Condensation. Water vapour in the air cools and turns back into a liquid.
- Puddles disappear on a sunny day because of…
- Freezing
- Condensation
- Evaporation
- Melting
Show answer
Evaporation. The water turns into water vapour.
- In which state are particles packed most tightly?
- Solid
- Gas
- They are all the same
- Liquid
Show answer
Solid. Particles in a solid vibrate in place.
- Which state spreads out to fill any container?
- None of them
- Solid
- Liquid
- Gas
Show answer
Gas. Gas particles move freely in all directions.
- Dry ice turns straight from a solid into a gas. What is this called?
- Evaporation
- Condensation
- Sublimation
- Melting
Show answer
Sublimation. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide.
- Steam is water in which state?
- Solid
- Liquid
- Plasma
- Gas
Show answer
Gas. Steam is water vapour.