Air is an example of matter in the gaseous state.
According to the provided reference, air, like helium used in balloons, is a gas. Gases are a state of matter that doesn't have a fixed size or shape. Instead, they can expand to fill any container, no matter how big, or be squeezed into a much smaller space. Matter can change from one state to another – like from a solid to a liquid, or a liquid to a gas. Air's characteristics, such as expanding to fill a room or being compressed into a tire, demonstrate its existence as a gas.
Here's a breakdown of how air exemplifies the gaseous state:
- No Fixed Shape: Air doesn't have a specific shape; it takes the shape of whatever container it's in (e.g., a balloon, a room).
- No Fixed Volume: Air can expand to fill large spaces or be compressed into smaller ones, showcasing its lack of a fixed volume.
- Expansible: Air naturally expands to fill the space available to it, filling empty containers.
- Compressible: Air can be squeezed into smaller volumes, like the air in a car tire.
Therefore, the provided reference supports that air is a prime example of matter in the gaseous state, displaying its key characteristics like a lack of fixed shape and volume.