Grade 9 → Matter and its nature ↓
Introduction to matter
Matter is all around us. Everything you can see, touch and feel is made of matter. For example, the phone or computer you are using to read this, the food you eat and even the air you breathe are all forms of matter. In this introduction, we will explore what matter is, how it behaves and why it is important to our world and to our understanding of chemistry.
What is the matter?
Matter is everything that has mass and occupies space. It is made up of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter. They are so small that they cannot be seen with ordinary microscopes, but they make up everything around us.
States of matter
There are three primary states of matter - solid, liquid and gas. Let us discuss each of them.
Solids
The particles in solids are tightly packed together in a certain structure. This means that solids have a definite shape and volume. An example of a solid is a piece of rock or ice.
Liquids
The particles in fluids are not as tightly packed as those in solids. They can move past one another, allowing fluids to flow and take the shape of their container, although they have a fixed volume. Examples of fluids are water and oil.
Gases
The particles in gases are far apart and move around freely. Gases have no definite shape or volume. An example of a gas is the air we breathe, which contains gases such as oxygen and nitrogen.
Change in state of matter
Matter can change from one state to another when heated or cooled. These changes are called physical changes and include melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, and sublimation.
Melting: Change from a solid to a liquid. Example: Ice melting into water.
Freezing: Change from a liquid to a solid. Example: Water freezing into ice.
Vaporization: Change from a liquid to a gas. This includes both boiling and evaporation.
Condensation: Change from a gas to a liquid. Example: Formation of water droplets on a cold surface.
Sublimation: Change from solid state to gas state directly, without going through the liquid state. Example: Dry ice changing into carbon dioxide gas.
Chemical composition of the substance
In addition to the physical state, matter can also be classified based on its chemical composition. There are two main types: elements and compounds.
Elements
Elements are pure substances made up of only one type of atom. Each element is unique and is represented on the periodic table. Examples include hydrogen (H
), oxygen (O
), and gold (Au
).
Compounds
Compounds are substances made up of two or more different types of atoms. Compounds have properties that differ from the individual elements they are made of. A common example of a compound is water (H2O
), which is made up of hydrogen and oxygen.
Mixture
In addition to elements and compounds, substances can also exist as mixtures. A mixture is a combination of two or more substances where each substance maintains its chemical identity. There are two types of mixtures: homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
Homogeneous mixture
Homogeneous mixtures have the same composition. Often, these are solutions. An example of this is salt water, where the salt is evenly distributed throughout the water.
Heterogeneous mixtures
Heterogeneous mixtures have uneven structure, meaning that different parts of the mixture can be seen. An example of this would be a salad, where you can see and identify the different ingredients.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Every substance has properties that help identify or describe it. These properties are classified into physical properties and chemical properties.
Physical properties
These are characteristics that can be seen or measured without changing the matter into another substance. Examples include color, melting point, boiling point, and density.
Chemical properties
These describe the ability of a substance to undergo a particular chemical change. Examples include reactivity with acids, flammability, and the ability to rust.
Conclusion
Understanding matter and its nature is essential, as it is the basic foundation of chemistry. Matter makes up everything in the universe, from the smallest atoms to the vastness of galaxies. By studying matter, scientists can unravel the mysteries of how substances interact, change, and create the world we experience. Keep the basic concepts of matter in mind as you progress in chemistry, as they will serve as important building blocks for more complex topics.