Gasses: meaning, definitions and examples
🌫️
gasses
[ ˈɡæsɪz ]
states of matter
Gasses are one of the four fundamental states of matter, where the particles are much farther apart than in liquids or solids. They have no fixed shape and will expand to fill whatever container they are in. Gasses have lower densities than liquids and solids and can be compressed more easily.
Synonyms
airborne substances, fumes, vapors.
Examples of usage
- The atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen and oxygen gasses.
- The gasses emitted from the car were harmful to the environment.
- Gasses can change their state and become liquids under the right conditions.
Etymology
The term 'gas' originates from the Greek word 'khaos', meaning a formless void, which reflects the nature of gases that lack a defined shape. The word was popularized in the 17th century by the Flemish chemist Jan Baptist van Helmont, who used it to describe the vapor of substances, including smoke and air. Over time, the understanding of gases evolved with the development of chemistry, leading to the classification of gases as one of the three primary states of matter alongside solids and liquids. The plural 'gasses' appears when referring to multiple types or instances of gases, signifying their diverse chemical nature and behavior.