This document discusses the particle model of matter and the three states of matter - solid, liquid, and gas. It describes the characteristics of each state in terms of the forces between particles and how they move. Changes between the states are explained, such as how solids expand with heat and contract with cold, liquids expand more than solids with heat, and water is unique in expanding as it cools until freezing. Examples are given to illustrate these concepts, such as gaps left in rails for expansion, water rising in a glass tube when heated, and how hot air balloons are able to float.