Final answer:
Mass arrangements are most commonly categorized into four phases of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. These states differ in the arrangement and behavior of their atoms, affecting their physical properties and how they react to forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most mass arrangements, or the common phases of matter, can be categorized as solid, liquid, gas, and sometimes plasma. Each of these states has unique physical characteristics due to the arrangement of atoms. Solids have a definite shape and specific volume, with atoms that are tightly packed together and vibrate in place. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container, with atoms that are close together but can move past one another. Gases have neither a definite shape nor a specific volume, with atoms that are far apart and move freely. Plasma, a fourth state, also lacks definite shape and volume and contains ionized particles.
In states like liquids, gases, and plasmas, matter behaves as fluids, yielding to shearing forces, whereas solids resist such forces. This is partly due to the viscosity of the material, affecting how easily matter can flow.