Final answer:
The rules of thumb regarding phases of matter involve knowing that solids have a fixed shape and volume, liquids take the shape of their container while having a fixed volume, and gases fill their container without a fixed shape or volume.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Phases of Matter
When discussing what are the rules of thumb regarding phases of matter, we refer to the three most common states in which matter exists: solid, liquid, and gas. These common phases of matter have distinct properties and behaviors when it comes to shape, volume, and the arrangement of atoms.
Solids: Solids, such as an ice sculpture, have a fixed shape and specific volume. The atoms in solids are tightly packed together and vibrate in place but do not move about freely.
Liquids: Liquids, like a drop of water, take the shape of their container and have a fixed volume. Their particles are still in contact, but they can move past one another, allowing liquids to flow and conform to the shape of their vessel.
Gases: In gases, particles are far apart and move freely, filling the entire volume of their container. Gases do not have a fixed shape or volume and are compressible due to the large amounts of space between particles.