Science, Tech, Math › Science The Difference Between a Phase and State of Matter Phase of Matter Versus State of Matter Print D. Sharon Pruitt Pink Sherbet Photography/Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 The matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. States of matter are the physical form taken by the phases of matter. Although the state and phase don't mean quite the same thing, you'll often hear the two terms used interchangeably. The States of Matter States of matter are solids, liquids, gases, and plasma. Under extreme conditions, other states exist, such as s Bose–Einstein condensates and neutron-degenerate matter. The state is the form taken by matter at a given temperature and pressure. Read More Phase Definition and Examples By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Phases of Matter A phase of matter is uniform with respect to its physical and chemical properties. Matter undergoes phase transitions to change from one phase to another. The primary phases of matter are solids, liquids, gases, and plasma. Examples At room temperature and pressure, the state of a piece of dry ice (carbon dioxide) would be solid and gas phases. At 0 °C, the state of water can be the solid, liquid, and/or gas phase. The state of water in a glass is the liquid phase. Learn More Diagram of Phase Changes Phases of Matter and Phase Diagrams 4 The Main States of Matter Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "The Difference Between a Phase and State of Matter." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/difference-between-phase-state-matter-608357. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). The Difference Between a Phase and State of Matter. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-phase-state-matter-608357 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "The Difference Between a Phase and State of Matter." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-phase-state-matter-608357 (accessed April 25, 2024). copy citation