What is Matter?
by Owen Borville
September 16, 2019/updated 10/9/22
Science, Chemistry, Physics
Matter is anything that has weight or mass and occupies space. Matter has the form of solid, liquid, or gas. Because it occupies space, matter has volume.
States of Matter
Solid
A solid is matter that is composed of particles that are held so tightly or bonded so tightly that the solid material keeps its shape most of the time. When stress is applied, the solid can be deformed, however.
Examples of solid matter:
soil, wood, grass, rocks, minerals, metals, bones, living animal
Fluids
Fluids are matter that is held together much looser than solids and do not have a certain shape. In other words, the fluids change shape very easily based on gravity or the presence of a confining space.
Examples of fluids include liquids and gases.
Liquids
A liquid is a type of fluid in which the component particles are loosely bonded together yet stay together and take the shape of the container in which it occupies. Gravity keeps the liquid inside the container and a flat surface is produced.
Examples of liquid matter:
water, gasoline, juice, milk
Gases
Gases are fluids in which the component particles are even looser and less bonded than liquids, lighter than liquids, and generally expand outward in all directions to fill the container in which it is occupied.
Examples of gaseous matter:
water vapor, oxygen, air, helium, natural gas
Plasma
Scientists have identified a new type of matter known as plasma, which is a mixture between liquid and gas. This material is found in lightning, in addition to above the earth's atmosphere, and around the sun.
Density of Matter
Density=mass per unit volume
Density=(mass)/(volume)
Matter Classification
Pure substance=is one element or compound
Element=substance of one element=one atomic number
Compound=one substance made of two or more elements chemically combined
Mixture=physical combination of two or more substances
Heterogenous mixture=not physically uniform in appearance
Homogeneous mixture=physically uniform in appearance
Changes in Matter
Physical changes=the appearance of a substance changes
Physical properties=ductility, malleability, conductivity, luster
Chemical changes=changes in the chemical structure caused by chemical reactions
Chemical properties=reactivity and flammability
Changes in State of Matter
Melting=solid to liquid
Freezing=liquid to solid
Vaporization=liquid to gas vapor
Evaporation=liquid to gas vapor slowly
Boiling=liquid to gas vapor rapidly
Condensation=gas vapor to liquid
Sublimation=solid to vapor gas directly
Deposition=vapor gas to solid directly
Law of Conservation of Matter=
matter cannot be created or destroyed but only change in form
Properties of Matter=Solid, Liquid, Gas
Volume=solid and liquid are fixed but gas volume is changeable
Shape=solid is fixed shape but liquid and gas shape is changeable
Compressibility=solids and liquids have low compressibility, gases have high compressibility
Particle Spacing=solids and liquids are closely spaced but gases are widely spaced
Density=highest for solids, lower for liquids, and lowest for gases
Particle Motion=solids vibrate in place, liquids slide past each other, gases are high speed motion; atomic particles are always in motion
Fluidity=solids are not fluid but liquids and gases are fluid
by Owen Borville
September 16, 2019/updated 10/9/22
Science, Chemistry, Physics
Matter is anything that has weight or mass and occupies space. Matter has the form of solid, liquid, or gas. Because it occupies space, matter has volume.
States of Matter
Solid
A solid is matter that is composed of particles that are held so tightly or bonded so tightly that the solid material keeps its shape most of the time. When stress is applied, the solid can be deformed, however.
Examples of solid matter:
soil, wood, grass, rocks, minerals, metals, bones, living animal
Fluids
Fluids are matter that is held together much looser than solids and do not have a certain shape. In other words, the fluids change shape very easily based on gravity or the presence of a confining space.
Examples of fluids include liquids and gases.
Liquids
A liquid is a type of fluid in which the component particles are loosely bonded together yet stay together and take the shape of the container in which it occupies. Gravity keeps the liquid inside the container and a flat surface is produced.
Examples of liquid matter:
water, gasoline, juice, milk
Gases
Gases are fluids in which the component particles are even looser and less bonded than liquids, lighter than liquids, and generally expand outward in all directions to fill the container in which it is occupied.
Examples of gaseous matter:
water vapor, oxygen, air, helium, natural gas
Plasma
Scientists have identified a new type of matter known as plasma, which is a mixture between liquid and gas. This material is found in lightning, in addition to above the earth's atmosphere, and around the sun.
Density of Matter
Density=mass per unit volume
Density=(mass)/(volume)
Matter Classification
Pure substance=is one element or compound
Element=substance of one element=one atomic number
Compound=one substance made of two or more elements chemically combined
Mixture=physical combination of two or more substances
Heterogenous mixture=not physically uniform in appearance
Homogeneous mixture=physically uniform in appearance
Changes in Matter
Physical changes=the appearance of a substance changes
Physical properties=ductility, malleability, conductivity, luster
Chemical changes=changes in the chemical structure caused by chemical reactions
Chemical properties=reactivity and flammability
Changes in State of Matter
Melting=solid to liquid
Freezing=liquid to solid
Vaporization=liquid to gas vapor
Evaporation=liquid to gas vapor slowly
Boiling=liquid to gas vapor rapidly
Condensation=gas vapor to liquid
Sublimation=solid to vapor gas directly
Deposition=vapor gas to solid directly
Law of Conservation of Matter=
matter cannot be created or destroyed but only change in form
Properties of Matter=Solid, Liquid, Gas
Volume=solid and liquid are fixed but gas volume is changeable
Shape=solid is fixed shape but liquid and gas shape is changeable
Compressibility=solids and liquids have low compressibility, gases have high compressibility
Particle Spacing=solids and liquids are closely spaced but gases are widely spaced
Density=highest for solids, lower for liquids, and lowest for gases
Particle Motion=solids vibrate in place, liquids slide past each other, gases are high speed motion; atomic particles are always in motion
Fluidity=solids are not fluid but liquids and gases are fluid
