GACE Physics Practice Exam

The correct answer is that phases in matter do not maintain their characteristics indefinitely. This is because the properties of different phases—solid, liquid, gas, and plasma—are dependent on specific conditions such as temperature and pressure.

For instance, ice (solid water) can melt into liquid water when heated, demonstrating that phases can change from one state to another. As a liquid, it has distinct physical properties such as viscosity and density different from those of ice. Additionally, under varying temperature and pressure conditions, substances may change their phase, such as water vaporizing into gas or condensing back into a liquid, which shows that phases do not exist indefinitely in a fixed form.

This dynamic nature is a fundamental characteristic of matter, emphasizing that while substances can exhibit distinct properties in each phase, these properties are not permanent and can change with external conditions.