Phases of Matter

There are three common states of matter. They are solids, liquids, and gases. You see them everyday in the form of air, water, trees, ect. All matter fits into one of the these categories. One of the lesser known phases is plasmas. What are these types of matter like? Solids have their molecules most pact together. They cannot move around. Solids can be rocks, trees, metal, ect. Liquids have molecules that are less pact than a solid. They spread to fill a container that they are poured into; their is no definite shape. When poured onto a surface liquids spread across it. Gases have the least compact atoms. There is no definite shape to a gas. Some examples are oxygen in the air and water vapor. Plasmas have free floating ions and electrons. Plasmas conduct electrical currents. They are found in stars such as our Sun.
How is one phase of matter different from another one?
Phases of matter differentiate by their compactness. Solids are the most compact and gases (including plasmas) are the least. Liquids are in between. Because of the space between the atoms this allows more movement. Gas atoms are more active than solid ones. Gases are also hotter than solids. Atoms are more active when they are heated. Solids must be naturally cooler than liquids or gases.

My Tests:
Emiak and I are going to design three tests to determine if the matter is solid, gas, or liquid. (Plasma is too hard.)First of all we will determine if the matter is solid. To do this we will smash the matter.
Materials
ice cube
water
air from our lungs
bowl