What is Matter?

Matter is anything that has mass and volume (ex. solids, liquids,
gasses).
Mass- how much matter is in an object. On Earth, its the same as
its weight (grams)
Volume- how much space an object takes up (litres)
All forms of matter can be describes and /or identified by
properties and characteristics
Characteristic
Colour
Flexibility
Hardness

refers to a feature of the matter

Mass
Strength
Texture

Property deals with how the matter changes when it interacts

with another substance
Buoyancy (float/sink)
Solubility (does it dissolve?)
Dissolve- to mix with a liquid to form a solution

Matter can be found in three states. Each state of matter has

its own characteristics and properties.
Solid- has a definite volume and holds its shape (has a definite
shape). The particles (atoms) of a solid are very close together
and do not move very much (too many people huddled in a doorway
in the winter).
Liquid- has a definite volume and takes the shape of the container
it is in (does not have a definite shape). The particles in liquids
are somewhat close together, and can move some (students in a
classroom).
Gas- has no definite volume, and completely takes the shape of
the container its in (keeps spreading out in all directions). The
particles in a gas are very far apart and move lots ( a few people
in a large field in the summer).
Matter can be transformed from one state to another by adding
or taking away heat.
Solid - Liquid
Liquid Gas
Solid Gas
Gas Liquid
Liquid Solid

Add heat
(raise the temperature)
Add more heat
(raise the temperature)
Add heat
Take away heat
(lower the temperature)
Take away more heat
(lower the temperature)

Melting
Evaporating
Sublimate
Condenses
Freeze, Solidify

So the particles (atoms) in solids are colder, closer together,

ands move less that in liquids or gasses.