Final answer:
The type of matter a substance is comprised of determines its state, with pure substances having consistent states and mixtures potentially displaying properties of multiple states. Substances also transition between states based on energy input or removal, specifically through the process of melting, vaporization, or the reverse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Knowing the type of matter that makes up each substance is vital for determining its state of matter. For instance, the state of a pure substance is dependent on its consistent composition. Examples include sucrose or table sugar, which consists of exactly 42.1% carbon, 6.5% hydrogen, and 51.4% oxygen by mass. Such substances have the same physical properties, like melting point, color, and sweetness, across any sample.
On the other hand, mixtures can exhibit properties of more than one state. One such example is clouds, which appear to behave like gases, but they are actually mixtures of air (gas) and tiny particles of water (solid or liquid). Similarly, sand, composed of many small pieces, can be poured like a liquid despite being solid.
Moreover, substances can change their states of matter under different conditions. When heat is added to a substance causing it to melt or vaporize, its energy state rises transitioning it into a higher state. Conversely, when heat is removed, the substance transitions into a lower energy state (e.g., from gas to liquid).
Learn more about States of Matter