Matter|Matter Properties

Matter |Matter Properties is an important topic for ICSC|Chemistry|Class 6 .We see so many things around us.For example - table, chair, water, air etc . All these things around us are made up of matter.

The Three States of Matter

There are three states of matter which are -

1.Solids - Solids have a definite shape. They can't flow like solids. For example - books, clothes, chalk etc.

2.Liquids - Liquids don't have a definite shape. They take the shape of the container in which they are poured and can flow easily. For example - water, milk, juice etc.

3.Gases - Gases don't have any shape. They flow freely. For example - air is a mixture of gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen etc.

The nature of matter

Matter is of different types. Most of the matter is non-living. It occupies space. The space that is occupied by the matter is known as volume. This is explained with the help of the experiment given below -

1.Fill a beaker full with water.

2.Drop a stone into the beaker.

3.The water will overflow from the beaker.

This shows that matter i.e stone occupies space and both liquids and solids have volume.

Matter occupies space

Air is matter so it also occupies space which is proved by the experiment given below.

1.Invert an empty bottle into a bucket or tub full of water.

2.Water is not filled in the bottle.

It happens because of the air filled inside the bottle. It doesn't allow the water to fill in the bucket.

3.Tilt the bottle.

4.Bubbles are escaped from the bottle on tilting it slightly and water starts filling inside the bottle.

5.When air comes out from the bottle in the form of bubbles water gets filled inside the bottle.

Matter has mass

The experiment given below shows that air has mass -

1.A meter scale can be balanced by tying fully blown balloons on its both ends.

2.The scale moves in the upward direction on pricking one balloon with a pin.

This shows that the air filled inside the balloons has mass.

Similarly the experiment given below shows that liquids and solids also occupies space.

1.The pans of a weighing balance are balanced by keeping two glasses of equal size on both the sides.

2.One side of the pan will tilt on filling one of the two glasses with water.

3.The side of the pan will also tilt if we will fill the glass with stones in place of water.

This experiment shows that both liquids and solids have mass.

The three states of matter

Solids - Solids have a definite shape and volume. Their molecules are packed tightly in definite patterns.They have no space between them. They don't move.

Liquids - Liquids don't have any shape but have a definite volume. They take the shape of the container in which they are poured. Their molecules are packed less tightly than that of solids so they can flow easily.

Gases - Gases neither have a definite shape nor a definite volume. Their molecules have a lot of space in between them so gases can spread or move very easily.

How is matter grouped?

Matter can be grouped in different ways. Grouping of matter gives us knowledge about the properties of matter and their similarities and differences.

On the basis of its physical state matter can be divided into three groups i.e solid, liquid and gas.

On the basis of chemical nature matter can be divided into two groups i.e metals and non-metals.

Matter can also be grouped as living, non-living, natural or synthetic.

Characteristics of matter

All the things around us are made up of matter. Any substance that has mass and occupies space is known as matter.

Matter is made up of molecules which are very small in size and can be seen only with the help of a microscope.

Elements - All the matter is formed of elements. All the elements consist of a unique atomic structure. For example - C, H, O, N, Au etc.

Atoms - The smallest unit of matter is called atom which retains the properties of the particular element.These atoms join together to form compounds.

Water Cycle

Water from the water bodies such as lakes, rivers or oceans changes into its gaseous form i.e water vapours by the process of evaporation. These water vapours rise up and condense or cool down to form water droplets by the process of condensation that join together to form clouds. When the clouds become heavy they burst and the water in them fall down as rain, snow or hail known as precipitation. This cycle is repeated again and again and is known as the water cycle.

Matter Properties and Composition of Matter

Chemistry plays a great role in our everyday life. Chemistry helps in making medicines . Electronic gadgets are also made with the help of chemistry. Chemistry also plays a great role in the growth of crops.

The different building blocks that make up the matter are -

Atoms - These are the smallest unit of matter. It takes billions of atoms to make even a small unit of matter.

Elements - Elements are composed of same type of atoms.

Compounds - Compounds consist of different kinds of elements.

Mixture - A mixture is made up of different compounds that don't combine chemically.

Molecules - Molecules may consist of same or different type of atoms.For example carbon and oxygen consists of same type of atoms while carbon dioxide consist of different type of atoms i.e carbon and oxygen.

Molecules of the matter possess kinetic energy and show motion.

Molecules present in the matter are held together by forces of attraction. The space between the molecules of matter is known as intermolecular space.

The three states of matter i.e solid, liquid or gas depend upon the arrangement of particles, the space between their molecules and the force of attraction between them.

Solids are hard to compress as the molecules in solids are packed very tightly. There are strong forces of attraction between their molecules and space between their molecules is less.Their molecules don't move freely and they only vibrate around their mean positions.

Liquids can flow easily as the molecules in liquids are less closely packed than that of solids. The force of attraction between them is less than solids and they have comparatively more intermolecular space.

In gases, the molecules are almost free to move as the intermolecular space is large and there is very less force of attraction. Gases can expand into a large container as well as they can be compressed to be filled in a small container.

Some other properties are -

Solubility - Some solids are soluble in water. For example - sugar, salt. Others are insoluble. For example - stones, sand, wood etc. Some liquids are soluble in water. For example - vinegar, alcohol. Others are insoluble. For example - oil. Similarly some gases are soluble. For example - oxygen, ammonia. Others are insoluble. For example - nitrogen, hydrogen.

Lustre or Shine - Metals are shiny while non-metals are not shiny

Effect of pressure - Solids can't be compressed under pressure.Effect of pressure on liquids is more than that of solids. Gases can be compressed to a large extent under pressure.

Hope you find this article Matter|Matter Properties quite helpful. You may also find Worksheets for Science related to this topic. Please comment if you want articles on any topic.

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