Question

differentiate and contrast the three states of matter on the basis of their physical properties

Answer 1

Solid State
Out of the three states of matter, solids are more common than liquid and gas. The main point in which a solid differs from the other two states is the fact that gases and liquid possess fluidity i.e. they can flow and are described as being fluid, while solids do not possess fluidity; instead they are rigid in nature. 

 Liquid State
The liquid state lies between the two extremes of ordered arrangement of solids and disorder in gases. The close packed structure of solids exists to some extent in the liquid state also. But liquid exhibits only a short range of ordered arrangement and is also termed as condensed gas or molten solids. In liquid state, the molecules are not as rigid and fixed as in solids. 

Gas State
The main difference between gas and other states is that gas molecules move around much more. The random movement of constituent particles in gaseous state is due to negligible intermolecular force of attraction. Due to this, intermolecular distance between molecules is very high. They do not have definite volume or shape.