What is Matter?

Matter is any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume.
Matter is described as something that has mass and occupies space. All physical structures are made up of
matter, and the state or process of matter is an easily observed property of matter. Solid, liquid, and gas are the
three basic states of matter.

Everything that exists is made up of matter. Atoms and substances are made up of minuscule pieces of matter.
The atoms that make up the objects we see and touch every day are made up of matter. All that has mass and
occupies space has volume is known as matter. The amount of matter in an object is measured by its mass.

Physical Properties of Matter

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 Matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms and can be represented or

explained as something that takes up space. It must display both the mass and
volume properties.

 Properties are the characteristics that enable us to differentiate one material from
another. A physical property is an attribute of matter that is independent of its
chemical composition.

 Density, colour, hardness, melting and boiling points, and electrical conductivity
are all examples of physical properties.

 Any characteristic that can be measured, such as an object’s density, colour,

mass, volume, length, malleability, melting point, hardness, odour, temperature,
and more, are considered properties of matter.
Intensive and Extensive Properties of Matter
Both the physical and chemical properties of matter are either extensive or intensive. Extensive properties
including mass and volume are proportional to the amount of matter being weighed. Density and colour, for
example, are not affected by the amount of matter present.
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1. Intensive properties of matter – An intensive property is a bulk property, which
means it is a system’s local physical property that is independent of the system’s
size or volume of material. Intensive properties are those that are independent of
the amount of matter present. Pressure and temperature, for example, are
intensive properties.
2. Extensive property of matter – A property that is dependent on the amount of
matter in a sample is known as an extensive property. Extensive properties
include mass and volume. The scale of the system or the volume of matter in it
determines the extensive property of the system. Extensive properties are those
in which the value of a system’s property is equal to the sum of the values for the
parts of the system.

Chemical Properties of Matter

Chemical properties are characteristics that can only be measured or observed as matter transforms into a
particular type of matter. Reactivity, flammability, and the ability to rust are among them. The tendency of matter
to react chemically with other substances is known as reactivity. Flammability, toxicity, acidity, the reactivity of
various types, and heat of combustion are examples of chemical properties.
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 Reactivity – The tendency of matter to combine chemically with other

substances is known as reactivity. Certain materials are highly reactive, whereas
others are extremely inactive. Potassium, for example, is extremely reactive,
even in the presence of water. A pea-sized piece of potassium reacts explosively
when combined with a small volume of water.

 Flammability – The tendency of matter to burn is referred to as flammability. As

matter burns, it reacts with oxygen and transforms into various substances. A
flammable matter is anything like wood.

 Toxicity – Toxicity refers to the extent to which a chemical element or a

combination of chemicals may harm an organism.
  Acidity – A substance’s ability to react with an acid is a chemical property. Some
metals form compounds when they react with different acids. Acids react with
bases to create water, which neutralizes the acid.
Chemical properties are extremely helpful when it comes to distinguishing compounds. Chemical properties, on
the other hand, can only be detected when a material is in the process of being changed into another substance.

Related Topics
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 States of Matter

 Three States of Matter

 Matter in Our Surroundings

 Characteristics of Matter

What is Matter in Chemistry?

As discovered by scientists,

The matter is made up of very tiny particles and these particles are so small that we cannot see them
with naked eyes.
It has been observed that matter exists in nature in different forms. Some substances are rigid and have a fixed shape like
wood and stone; some substances can flow and take the shape of their container like water, while there are forms of matter
that do not have definite shape or size such as air.
Matter can be classified into different categories based on the physical properties exhibited by them and the states in which
they exist; these are called states of matter.
Following are the basic three states of matter:

 Solid
 Liquid
 Gas
Apart from the above mentioned three, there are 2 more states of matter which we do not see in our everyday life. They
are Plasma & Bose-einstein condensate.
Changes in the characteristics of matter related with external influences such as pressure and temperature separate states of
matter. A discontinuity in one of those qualities frequently distinguishes states: rising the temperature of ice, for example,
generates a discontinuity at 0 °C (32 °F) as energy flows into a phase transition rather than temperature rise.

Matter Definition Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter and its transformation. Another term often considered synonymous with
matter is substance, but a substance has a more limited definition in chemistry. Chemistry deals with the study of behaviour
of – matter Chemistry is concerned with the – Composition, structure and properties of matter and the phenomenon which
occurs when different kinds of matter undergo changes.
Matter theory covers the changing ideas and systems that were used to describe and explain the material world. A large part
of matter theory was based on a theory of the elements.

Solid Definition
 In solids, particles are tightly or closely packed.
 The gaps between the particles are tiny and hence it is tough to compress them.
  Solid has a fixed shape and volume.
 Due to its rigid nature, particles in solid can only vibrate about their mean position and cannot move.
 Force of attraction between particles is adamant.
 The rate of diffusion in solids is very low.
 An example of solids: solid ice, sugar, rock, wood, etc.

Liquid Definition
 In a liquid state of matter, particles are less tightly packed as compared to solids.
 Liquids take the shape of the container in which they are kept.
 Liquids are difficult to compress as particles have less space between them to move.
 Liquids have fixed volume but no fixed shape.
 The rate of diffusion in liquids is higher than that of solids.
 Force of attraction between the particles is weaker than solids.
 Example of a liquid state of matter: water, milk, blood, coffee, etc.

Gas Definition
 In gases, particles are far apart from each other.
  Force of attraction between the particles is negligible, and they can move freely.
 Gases have neither a fixed volume nor a fixed shape.
 The gaseous state has the highest compressibility as compared to solids and liquids.
 The rate is diffusion is higher than solids and liquids.
 The kinetic energy of particles is higher than in solids and liquids.
 An example of gases: air, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.

Plasma
 Plasma is a not so generally seen form of matter. Plasma consists of particles with extremely high kinetic energy.
Electricity is used to ionize noble gases and make glowing signs, which is essentially plasma.
 Superheated forms of plasma are what stars are.

Bose-Einstein Condensates
 Discovered in 1995, Bose-Einstein condensates were made with the help of the advancements in technology.
 Carl Weiman and Eric Cornell cooled a sample of rubidium with the help of magnets and lasers to within a few
degrees of absolute zero.
 At the said temperature, the motion of the molecules becomes negligible. As this brings down the kinetic energy,
the atoms no longer stay separate, but they begin to clump together. As the atoms join together they form a super-
atom.
 Light slows down as it passes through a BEC helping scientists to study more about the nature of light as a wave
and particle.
 BEC’s also show properties of a superfluid which implies, that it flows without friction.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What are the three common states of matter?

The common thing among the three states of matter is-they consist of tiny, small particles. They have a specific mass and
can take up space. There is a volume in these three states. In these three states ‘atoms have the strength of attractions
between them.
Can matter be created?
In addition, the first law of thermodynamics does not state that matter can not be created or destroyed, but rather that the
total amount of energy in a closed system can not be created or destroyed, although it can be modified from one form to
another.

Is matter created or destroyed?

There is a scientific law called the Mass Conservation Law, which Antoine Lavoisier discovered in 1785. It states in its
most compact form: matter is not created or destroyed. The universe’s total mass and energy is constant.

Is matter-energy?
The mass of these three particles is less than a neutron’s mass, so each of them still gets some energy. So the same thing is
really power and matter. Fully interchangeable. So in a way, all facets of the same thing are energy, matter, space and time.

What is Einstein’s theory of relativity?

In 1905, Albert Einstein determined that for all non-accelerating observers, the laws of physics were the same and that the
speed of light in a vacuum was independent of all observers ‘ movement. This was the special relativity theory

Three States of Matter with Examples

There are three states of matter and below are the description of various states of matter:

1. Solids
 The solid state is one of the fundamental states of matter.
 Solids differ from liquids and gases by the characteristic of rigidity.
 The molecules of solids are tightly packed because of strong intermolecular forces; they only oscillate about their
mean positions.
 Whereas, liquids and gases possess the property of fluidity and can easily flow.
 Solids can be defined as the state of matter which has definite shape and volume and has a rigid structure.
 Solids possess the least compressibility and thermal expansion.
Example: Iron (Fe)

2. Liquids
 The molecules in a liquid are closely packed due to weak intermolecular forces.
 These forces are weaker than solids but stronger than that of gases.
 There is much space in between the molecules of liquids which makes their flowing ability easy.
  Liquids can easily acquire the shape of a vessel, and they have a fixed volume.
 Conversion of solids into liquids takes place when we increase the temperature of solids to a point where solids
begin to melt.
 Generally, the density of liquid lies between the density of solids and gases. Compressibility and thermal expansion
of liquids are slightly higher than that of solids.
Example: Water (H2O)

3. Gases
 In this state of matter, distances between the molecules are large (intermolecular distance is in the range of 10 -7 –
10-5 cm).
 The intermolecular forces experienced between them are negligible.
 Thus, translatory, rotatory and vibratory motions are observed prominently in gases.
 Gases do not have any fixed shape or volume.
 They also possess high compressibility and thermal expansion.
Example: Oxygen (O2)

Our cosmos is made up of matter. The matter is stated as any substance that has mass, takes volume and may be
comprehended by the senses. Exceptions like heat, electrical energy, light energy, sound energy, magnetism, vacuum, a
shadow. These are not matter because these have no mass and do not take up space.
The matter is composed of small constituent parts. The units of matter are very minute. We cannot see them even with a
high-power microscope.
Characteristics of Matter
The Characteristics of Matter are listed below.

 The matter is created out of small particles.

 The particles have intermolecular spaces amidst them.
 The particles of matter are locomotive in nature because they have kinetic energy. The motion of the constituent
particles intensifies with a surge in temperature.
 The bits in matter draw each other, but this reciprocal force of pull is operational only when the particles are very
close by to each other. In solids, these units are narrowly crammed, and hence they have superior intermolecular
force attraction although, in gases, the groups are lightly held. Therefore, they have feeble forces of attraction.

Diffusion
The intermingling of the particles of two or more materials on their own is called diffusion.
Diffusion is quicker in gases. The speed of diffusion is different in different gases. Lighter gas intermingles at a faster speed
than denser gases. Liquids, as well as solids, undergo dissemination. However, the speed of diffusion in solids is pretty low.
As particles of liquids move slowly, diffusion in liquids is slower than in gases.

Factors Affecting Diffusion

1. Density
The rate of diffusion is inversely relative to the mass of a liquid or a gas. Greater the density, the smaller is the rate of
diffusion.
2. Temperature
The speed of diffusion is directly proportionate to the temperature. As the temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the
constituent units upsurges, and they travel with greater speed resulting in an amplified rate of diffusion.

Classification of Matter
The matter has been characterised into five states by the researchers i.e., solid, liquid, gas, plasma and Bose-Einstein
Condensate. Amid these states, the most familiar states of matter that exist around us are solids, liquids and gases.

1. Solid State
When the particles are packed together firmly, they form solids. In solids, the particles only vibrate about their fixed
positions, since their kinetic energy is low and not sufficient to let them breakdown away from their common force of the
pull. Thus, solids have definite forms and volumes and are not compressible. That’s why they do not flow or diffuse.

Exceptions

 A rubber band can be strained under force, and it recovers to the same shape when the force is removed.
 If a similar rubber band is stretched maximum with excessive force, it breaks.
 The sponge is one more example of a solid, which has minuscule holes in which the air is confined.
 When it is squeezed with a hand, the air is ejected out, and it gets compressed.

2. Liquid State
In liquids, the kinetic energies of the atoms are more than in solids, and the atoms are not fixed to any positions. They move
about at will, arbitrarily, all through the liquid. Though, they do not have sufficient kinetic energy to break out of the
borderlines of the liquid form. That clarifies why liquids do not have fixed shapes and pour or diffuse at will, but they do
have fixed volumes.
Also, when equated to solids, there are more spaces amongst the atoms of liquids, but not sufficient to make liquids
compressible.

3. Gaseous State
In gases, the atoms are not crammed together at all, as their kinetic energies are high enough to let them break free from any
boundaries. They are unrestricted to move about in arbitrary motion. That is why gases have no fixed figure or volume, and
they flow and diffuse readily. They crash into each other, and off the walls of their container. That’s how a gas applies
pressure on its vessel. Also, as the spaces between the atoms are large, gases are exceedingly compressible.

4. Plasma State
The fourth state of matter is Plasma. Plasma is comparable to the gaseous state. The state involves super active and super
energized atoms in the form of ionized gases. Plasma is created by heating a gas until it loses all its electrons. It exists in
stars. The plasma is formed in the sun and stars because of the very high temperatures. The sun and stars radiate because of
the existence of plasma in them.
The fluorescent tube and neon sign bulbs contain plasma. The gas present inside these bulbs and tubes is an inert gas. When
electricity is passed through them, the gas gets ionized and charged. This charging up creates a glowing plasma, having a
particular colour depending on the nature of the gas.

Bose-Einstein Condensates
The model of BEC was thought of by the Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose in 1920 and was advanced by the theory of
BEC. Later Albert Einstein prophesied a new state of matter – the Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC).
The BEC is created by freezing a gas of tremendously low density. Bose-Einstein condensate refers to the breakdown of
atoms into a single quantum state. It is found at low temperatures when particles are not incapable of moving.
The particle nature of matter has the following characteristics:

 Matter is made up of particles

 Matter has inter particle space
 The particles constituting a matter are very small.
 Particles in matter are always in a state of motion.
 The motion of the particles increases with an increase in temperature.

Nature of Matter
Anything that occupies space and has mass is known as matter. Everything around us is a form of matter. The huge
buildings, bridges, electrons revolving around a nucleus, the DNA in our cells, the surrounding air, the land beneath our
feet, etc. all matter. A matter is said to be composed of particles which are basically atoms and molecules. Depending upon
its physical state, the nature of matter falls into three categories:

1. Solids:
The substances in which the particles are held close to each other with strong intermolecular forces are known as
solids. The particles are strongly held at their positions and have only vibratory motion. Solids have a definite
shape and definite volume. E.g.: Wood, iron, etc.

2. Liquids:
Those substances in which the intermolecular forces are weak enough to allow the movement of particles are
known as liquids. The particles are held closely and have a higher degree of freedom than solids. Liquids have a
definite volume but no definite shape; they generally take the shape of the container in which they are placed. E.g.:
water, milk, etc.

3. Gases:
These types of matter have very weak forces between their molecules and hence the molecules are free to move.
The distance between molecules is large as compared to solids and liquids. Gases have neither a fixed shape nor a
definite volume. They tend to completely occupy the container in which they are placed. E.g. air, oxygen,
hydrogen, methane, etc.
The above three states of matter can be transformed from one form to the other by changing the conditions of temperature
and pressure. The nature of matter is also determined by its composition. If the matter is composed of more than one type of
particle then it is called a mixture while if it consists of a single type of particles then it is known as a pure substance.
Mixtures are further classified as homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures. Pure substances are also sub-divided as
elements and compounds.
The nature of matter continues to be a vast subject of research and recent advancements have revealed other states of matter.
Boson-Einstein condensate and plasma are the two other states of matter that have been found recently. To learn more about
the three states of matter, register with BYJU’S and download our app.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What are matter particles?

Matter is composed of elementary particles at the most fundamental level, such as quarks and leptons (the class of
elementary particles which includes electrons). Quarks fuse into protons and neutrons and form atoms of the elements of the
periodic table, such as hydrogen, oxygen, and iron, along with electrons.

How do particles of matter have spaces?

It is correct to suggest that matter particles have space between them. The physical features of matter suggest that matter has
space between its constituent particles. So, it goes into the tiny spaces between water molecules that are present.

How many properties of matter are there?

Four normal forms of matter are present: solids, liquids, gases and plasma. The fifth condition is the Bose-Einstein
condensates that are man-made. In a solid, ions are closely bundled together so that they don’t move much.

What are the classification of matter?

It is important to classify matter into two categories: pure substances and mixtures. Elements and molecules are further
broken down into basic substances. Mixtures are entities that are mechanically mixed and which can be divided into their
original components. One form of atom or molecule is made of a chemical substance.

What is the definition of mixtures?

In chemistry, a combination is a medium made up of physically mixed two or more distinct compounds. In the type of
liquids, suspensions and colloids, a mixture is the physical synthesis of two or more substances in which the names are
preserved and combined.

Why are properties of matter important?

Scientists need to understand the properties of matter because it is made up of it. Solid, liquid, and gas are the
three primary phases of matter. Depending on their physical features, most matter will exist in any of these
states. More specifically, scientists deal with a wide range of materials.

What are the four properties of matter?

Mass, weight, and volume are examples of extensive properties that differ from the sum of the material. Colour,
melting point, boiling point, electrical conductivity, and physical condition at a given temperature are examples of
intensive properties that are independent of the volume of the material.

What is texture in the properties of matter?

Volume is a physical property of matter that can be measured quantitatively. Texture refers to how something
feels to you when you touch it. Soft, smooth, rough, bumpy, silky, sticky, and chalky are some of the textures
that objects can have. The texture of an object is determined by our sense of touch.
Can density be a property of matter?
Density is a physical property of matter that reflects the mass-to-volume relationship. The more mass an object
has in a given amount of space, the denser it is. Density measurements are useful for distinguishing substances
since different substances have different densities.

What are the observable properties of matter?

Observable properties are features or aspects of materials or artifacts that we can describe using our five
senses. We can use our senses to assess colour, texture, hardness, and flexibility.