Chemistry / Matter and its Composition Matter : Anything that has weight and occupies space and can be perceived by our senses is called matter. States of matter: Solids: A solid has a definite shape and volume. Examples of solids include ice (solid water), a bar of steel, and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). Liquids: A liquid has a definite volume, but takes the shape of its container. Examples of liquids include water and oil. Gases: A gas has neither a definite volume nor a definite shape. Examples of gases are air, oxygen, and helium. Plasma is recognized as fourth state of matter. Inter conversion of three states of matter: 1. Melting : Change of substance from solid state to liquid state. 2. Evaporation or boiling: Change of substance from liquid state to gaseous state. Transpiration is the evaporation of water into the atmosphere from the leaves and stems of plants 3. Condensation : change of substance from gaseous state to liquid state. ...