Matter is everything around us. It includes anything that has weight and takes up space. In our daily life, matter is very important during chemical reactions. It changes between three different states: solid, liquid, and gas. Let’s look at these states more closely:

1. States of Matter:

   • Solid: In this state, matter keeps its shape and size. For example, ice is a solid form of water.
   • Liquid: In this state, matter takes the shape of the container it’s in, but it keeps the same amount. An example is liquid water, which can flow and fill different cups and bottles.
   • Gas: In the gas state, matter spreads out to fill all the space around it. For instance, water vapor is a gas that floats in the air.

2. Chemical Reactions: Chemical reactions change matter from one state to another. Here are some examples:

   • When you mix baking soda (a solid) with vinegar (a liquid), they react and create carbon dioxide gas. You can see this as bubbles forming, showing how different states of matter can work together.
   • Another example is when wood burns. The solid wood turns into smoke (a gas) and ash (a solid) when it is on fire.

In short, matter is very important in chemical reactions. It helps us see how different substances change and interact with one another. Understanding matter makes it easier to learn about the exciting world of chemistry!