Change of state, also known as phase transition or phase change, is the transformation of a substance from one state to another. There are several synonyms for this phenomenon, including transition, transformation, conversion, metamorphosis, alteration, modification, and shift. Each of these words captures a slightly different aspect of change of state, such as the process of moving from one state to another, the act of changing form or condition, or the fundamental reconfiguration of a substance. Regardless of the specific term used, change of state is a ubiquitous aspect of physical and chemical processes that is essential for understanding the behavior of matter.