Which of the following is a characteristic of matter?

Matter is defined as anything that has mass and occupies space. One significant characteristic of matter is its ability to change states. Matter can exist in different states, primarily solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. For example, ice (solid) can melt into water (liquid), which can then evaporate into steam (gas). This transformation from one state to another is often influenced by changes in temperature and pressure.

The other options are less representative of the nature of matter. Matter is not always solid; it can be found in various states depending on external conditions. While it's true that matter cannot be created or destroyed (according to the law of conservation of mass), this characteristic does not pertain to the typical physical properties of matter. Lastly, matter does not exist only in gas form, as it clearly manifests in solid and liquid forms as well. Thus, the option regarding the ability of matter to change states accurately reflects a fundamental characteristic of matter.