Matter can exist as a?

Matter can indeed exist in three primary states: solid, liquid, and gas.

In the solid state, matter has a defined shape and volume because its particles are tightly packed together, allowing it to maintain structure. When matter transitions to the liquid state, it takes the shape of its container while retaining a fixed volume; the particles are still close together but can move more freely than in a solid. Lastly, in the gas state, matter expands to fill the entire volume of its container, with particles that are much farther apart and move freely and rapidly.

This distinction is fundamental to understanding basic physical science, as it lays the groundwork for concepts like phase changes and thermodynamics. The other combinations listed do not encompass the full range of matter's states, making them incomplete in describing the various forms matter can take in typical conditions.