Matter is defined as everything that occupies space and can be perceived by one or more senses; a physical body, a physical substance, or the universe as a whole. There are four distinct states of matter: solids, liquids, gases and plasma. There are other states of matter, such as Bose-Einstein condensates and neutron degenerate matter, but these states can only be found under extreme conditions. These phases can shift from one to another when affected by certain things, called phase shifts. To change from a solid to a liquid, the solid must melt. On the other hand, to go from a liquid to a solid, there must be gel. Additionally, to change from a liquid to a gas, a process called evaporation must take place. On the other hand, to go from a gas to a liquid, condensation is required. Additionally, sublimation must take place for a solid to transform into a gas. Conversely, deposition must occur for a gas to transform into a solid. Melting occurs when a solid obtains enough energy to melt. When it gets enough energy, it is called the melting point. An example of melting would be snow turning into water. The reverse of the melting process is called freezing. Liquid water freezes and becomes solid ice when the molecules lose a lot of energy. When a solid turns into a gas and allows liquid to pass through, sublimation occurs. The best example of sublimation would be dry ice. Deposition occurs when a gas passes directly to a solid without passing through the liquid phase. An example of deposition is where water vapor turns into tiny crystals. The four main states of matter can be organized based on the speed at which particles move. The slowest type will be solids. The solid particles are packed together and vibrate in place. The second slowest phase of matter is water. The par...... middle of the paper ...... or plasma. Works Cited "Avogadro's Law - What is it?." Kiwi Web. HA Campbell. Internet. December 6, 2013..Griffin, David. “The Truth About 9/11: The Mysterious Collapse of WTC Seven.” Global research. Np, and Web. December 6, 2013. “Matter and its states”. Purdue Chemistry. No. Internet. December 6, 2013."Matter is what surrounds you." Chem4Kids. Andrew Rader Studios. Internet. December 6, 2013."Properties of matter." WordPress. No. Internet. December 6, 2013."States of Matter." Center for mathematical and scientific activities. Np, and Web. December 6 2013..