WHAT IS MATTER?
Matter refers to the physical substance that makes up the universe. It is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter can exist in various forms, such as solid, liquid, or gas, and it is composed of tiny particles called atoms. Examples of matter are stone, water, air, computer, apple, wood and iron.
Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter. They consist of a nucleus, which contains positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons, surrounded by negatively charged electrons. The arrangement and behavior of these atoms determine the properties and characteristics of different types of matter.
Matter is classified into different types based on its composition and properties. The three main states of matter are:
Solid: In the solid state, particles are closely packed together, and they vibrate in fixed positions. Solids have a definite shape and volume. Examples include ice, wood,stone, iron,sand and metal.
Liquid: Liquids have particles that are close together but can move around and slide past one another. They take the shape of their container and have a definite volume. Examples include water, oil,juice and milk.
Gas: Gases have particles that are far apart and move rapidly in all directions. They expand to fill their container and have neither a definite shape nor volume. Examples include air, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
There is also a fourth state of matter known as plasma, which is a highly ionized gas. Plasma consists of charged particles and is commonly found in stars and lightning.
In addition to these states, matter can undergo physical and chemical changes. Physical changes, such as melting, freezing, or boiling, alter the state or form of matter without changing its chemical composition. Chemical changes, on the other hand, involve the rearrangement of atoms and result in the formation of new substances with different properties. Examples of Chemical Changes are rusting of iron, burning of wood and rotting.
Mass and matter are related concepts in physics, but they refer to different aspects of the physical world. Here are the differences between mass and matter:
Definition:
Mass: Mass is a fundamental property of matter that quantifies the amount of substance or material in an object. It measures the inertia of an object and determines its resistance to acceleration when a force is applied.
Matter: Matter refers to anything that occupies space and has mass. It encompasses all physical substances, including atoms, molecules, and particles, that make up the universe.
Nature:
Mass: Mass is a scalar quantity and is independent of location or external conditions. It remains constant regardless of the environment or gravitational field.
Matter: Matter consists of various particles and atoms, which interact with each other through fundamental forces like gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear forces. It can exist in different states such as solid, liquid, gas, or plasma, depending on the arrangement and behavior of its constituent particles.
Conservation:
Mass: Mass is conserved in isolated systems according to the law of conservation of mass. In any closed system, the total mass before and after a physical or chemical process remains constant.
Matter: Matter is also conserved in most ordinary physical and chemical processes. The total amount of matter in a closed system typically remains constant, although it may undergo changes in state or form.
Units:
Mass: Mass is measured in units such as kilograms (kg), grams (g), depending on the system of measurement.
Matter: Matter does not have specific units of measurement, as it refers to the general concept of physical substance rather than a quantifiable property.