Which of the following are the three states of matter?

The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas. In a solid, the particles are tightly packed together in a fixed arrangement, which gives solids a definite shape and volume. In a liquid, the particles are still close together but can move past one another, allowing liquids to have a definite volume but take the shape of their container. In a gas, the particles are much farther apart and move freely, leading to neither a definite shape nor a fixed volume.

This foundational understanding of matter is rooted in classical physics and is essential for further studies in chemistry and materials science. Other options mix the correct states with incorrect combinations or include states that are not classified under the primary states of matter, which weakens their validity in this context.