Condensed matter physics – the branch of physics responsible
for discovering and describing most of these phases – has traditionally
classified phases by the way their fundamental building blocks – usually atoms
– are arranged. The key is something called symmetry.
To understand symmetry, imagine flying through liquid water
in an impossibly tiny ship: the atoms would swirl randomly around you and every
direction – whether up, down, or sideways – would be the same. The technical
term for this is "symmetry" – and liquids are highly symmetric.
Crystal ice, another phase of water, is less symmetric. If you flew through ice
in the same way, you would see the straight rows of crystalline structures
passing as regularly as the girders of an unfinished skyscraper. Certain angles
would give you different views. Certain paths would be blocked, others wide
open. Ice has many symmetries – every "floor" and every
"room" would look the same, for instance – but physicists would say
that the high symmetry of liquid water is broken.