There are three states of matter - solid, liquid, and gas - and four types of phase changes: melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation. Phase changes occur when heat is added or removed, causing particles to gain or lose kinetic energy and change their movement and spacing. Melting and evaporation are caused by heat increasing particle energy and movement, while condensation and freezing are caused by cooling, which decreases particle energy and causes them to slow down and contract.