Editing State of matter (section)

===Solid===
{{Main|Solid}}
[[File:Gif -AtomosSolido 01.gif|thumb|upright=0.75|Simple illustration of particles in the solid state – they are closely packed to each other.]]

In a solid, constituent particles (ions, atoms, or molecules) are closely packed together. The [[Bonding in solids|forces between particles]] are so strong that the particles cannot move freely but can only vibrate. As a result, a solid has a stable, definite shape, and a definite volume. Solids can only change their shape by an outside force, as when broken or cut.

In [[crystal|crystalline solids]], the particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) are packed in a regularly ordered, repeating pattern. There are various different [[crystal structure]]s, and the same substance can have more than one structure (or solid phase). For example, [[iron]] has a [[cubic crystal system|body-centred cubic]] structure at temperatures below {{convert|912|C|F}}, and a [[cubic crystal system|face-centred cubic]] structure between 912 and {{convert|1394|C|F}}. [[Ice]] has fifteen known crystal structures, or fifteen solid phases, which exist at various temperatures and pressures.<ref>
{{Cite book
 |author=M.A. Wahab
 |date=2005
 |title=Solid State Physics: Structure and Properties of Materials
 |publisher=Alpha Science
 |pages=1–3
 |isbn=978-1-84265-218-3
}}</ref>

[[Glass]]es and other non-crystalline, [[amorphous solid]]s without [[order and disorder (physics)|long-range order]] are not [[thermal equilibrium]] ground states; therefore they are described below as nonclassical states of matter.

Solids can be transformed into liquids by melting, and liquids can be transformed into solids by freezing. Solids can also change directly into gases through the process of [[sublimation (chemistry)|sublimation]], and gases can likewise change directly into solids through [[deposition (phase transition)|deposition]].