Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 .

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4: MATTER AND SUBSTANCE

4.1 Changes in the States of Matter

1. Matter – anything which has mass and occupies space.
2. Matter is made up of tiny discrete particles.
3. Movement of particles in the different states of matter – diffusion.
4. Three states of matter:

Solid Liquid Gas

Diagram

• Very close to one • Far apart • Very far apart

another • Not in orderly • Not arranged
Arrangement of
• Orderly manner manner • A lot of space
particles
• Very little space • More space between between the particles
between the particles the particles
Movement of Vibrate in their own Move about freely Move at random
particles positions
Force of attraction Very strong Not so strong / moderate Weak
between particles
Kinetic energy A little Moderate A lot
Compressibility Cannot Cannot Can

5. Changes of state of matter:

Solid
(a) (f)

(b) (e)
(c)

Liquid Gas

(d)

Process Energy is absorbed / released

(a) Melting Absorbed
(b) Freezing Released
(c) Boiling / Evaporation Absorbed
(d) Condensation Released
(e) Sublimation Released
(f) Sublimation Absorbed
1
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

6. Heating graph of naphthalene:

Melting point

Region State of matter Explanation

• Temperature increases.
P Q Solid
• Particles absorb heat and vibrate faster.
• Melting occurs.
• No temperature change.
Q R Solid + Liquid
• Particles absorb heat to overcome the force of attraction
between the particles.
• Temperature increases.
R S Liquid
• Particles absorb heat and move faster.

7. Cooling graph of naphthalene:

Freezing point

Region State of matter Explanation

• Temperature decreases.
K L Liquid
• Particles lose kinetic energy and move closer to one another.
• Freezing occurs.
L M Solid + Liquid • No temperature change.
• Particles arrange themselves in an orderly manner.
• Temperature decreases.
M N Solid
• Particles lose heat and cools to room temperature.

2
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

4.2 The Structure of an Atom

1. History development of atom:

Scientist Structure of Atom Description

• Atom is a solid sphere.
• Cannot be divided, created or destroyed.
John Dalton

• Atom is a solid sphere – positively charged.

• Electrons (negatively charged) buried in the
J.J. Thomson atom.
• Atom is neutral.

• Atom has nucleus – contain positive

charges (protons).
Ernest Rutherford • Negative charges (electrons) orbit the
nucleus.

• Atom has positively charged nucleus.

• Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells.
Niels Bohr

• Nucleus contains protons and neutrons.

• Neutrons – no charge / neutral.
James Chadwick

2. Today’s atom:

Shell

Nucleus

Electron

Proton

Neutron

* An atom is neutral. Therefore, the number of protons = number of electrons.

3. Subatomic particles

Location Motion Charge Mass

Proton (p) In the nucleus Stationary Positive Heavy
Neutron (n) In the nucleus Stationary Neutral Heavy
Electron (e) In the shell Move from one atom to another Negative Light

3
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

4.3 Proton Number and Nucleon Number

1. Proton number = number of protons in an atom
2. Nucleon number = number of protons + number of neutrons in an atom
= p+n

Examples:

Symbol of element

Proton number 19 11 29 12
Nucleon number 39 23 63 24
Number of protons 19 11 29 12
Number of electrons 19 11 29 12
Number of neutrons 39 – 19 = 20 23 – 11 = 12 63 – 29 = 34 24 – 12 = 12

3. a) When the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons, the atom is neutral.
b) When the number of protons is more than the number of electrons, the ion is positively charged.
c) When the number of protons is less than the number of neutrons, the ion is negatively charged.
4. Isotopes
a) Definition:
• Atoms of the same element which have the same number of protons but different number of
neutrons.
• Atoms of the same element which have the same proton number but different nucleon
number.
b) They have the same chemical properties (chemical reaction) but different physical properties
(density, melting point, boiling
boilin point).
c) Example:
Isotopes of Carbon

4
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

4.4 Classifications of Elements in the Periodic Table

1. Periodic table – list of all the elements.
2. Elements are arranged based on their increasing proton numbers into rows and columns.
3. Groups – Vertical columns (Group 1 to Group 18)
4. Periods – Horizontal rows (Period 1 to Period 7)

GROUPS

Metal
1 18
1 2 Semi-metal 13 14 15 16 17
2 Non-metal
PERIODS

3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
4
5
6
7

Lanthanides series
Actinides series

*(Nexus Science pg.82)

Group 1 – Alkali metals (More reactive metals; Reactivity of metals increases down the group)
Group 2 – Alkali earth metals
Group 3 to 12 – Transition elements / Transition metals
Group 17 – Halogens
Group 18 – Rare gases / Noble gases / Inert gases

5. Importance of periodic table:

a) Enables us to study the elements in an orderly and systematic way.
b) Enables us to know and understand the properties of the elements
c) Enables us to predict the properties, reactions and uses of the elements.

5
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

4.5 Properties of Substances based on Their Particles

Differences Atomic Elements Molecular Substances Ionic Compounds

+ - + -
Diagram - + - +
+ - + -

Substances made from

Non-metals:
Metals and rare gases: metals and non-metals:
Examples Nitrogen, sulphur,
Sodium, zinc helium, neon Sodium chloride (salt), lead
ammonia, carbon dioxide
bromide
State at
room Solid Solid, liquid, gas Solid
temperature
Solubility in
Do not dissolve in water Do not dissolve in water Dissolve in water
water
Solubility in
Do not dissolve in organic Do not dissolve in organic
organic Dissolve in organic solvent
solvent solvent
solvent
Melting
point and High Low High
boiling point
Weak van der Waals force
Reason: Strong metallic bonding Strong ionic bonding
of attraction
Conduct electricity in liquid
Electrical
Conduct electricity Do not conduct electricity (molten and aqueous) state
conductivity
but not in solid state
Solid: ions are not free to
Do not have free electrons move
Reason: Have free moving electrons
or moving ions Liquid (molten or aqueous):
ions are free to move

6
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

4.6 Metal and Non-metal

Properties Metal Non-metal

Surface / Appearance Shiny Dull
Ductility
Ductile Brittle / Non-ductile
(ability to pull into a wire)
Malleability
(ability to be beaten into thin Malleable Non-malleable
sheets)
Tensile strength
(ability to withstand weight High Low
when pulled)
Poor conductor
Electrical conductivity Good conductor
(except carbon)
Heat conductivity Good conductor Poor conductor
Density High Low
Boiling point & melting point High Low
Aluminium, copper, gold, iron, Carbon, sulphur, chlorine,
Examples
lead, mercury, tin, zinc hydrogen, nitrogen

*uses of metal and non-metal refer Nexus Science pg.89-90

7
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

4.7 Purifying Substances

1. Pure substance
• does not contain any foreign matter
• has definite boiling point and melting point
2. Impurities (eg: common salt) – increases the boiling point (101 – 103°C) and decreases the freezing
point (-3 – -1°C) of pure water.
3. Methods for purifying substances:
a) Distillation
b) Crystallisation
4. Distillation:
• Process of boiling a liquid to form its vapour and condensing the vapour to get the pure liquid.
• To obtain liquid from a mixture of solution or mixture of solution and dissolved substances.
• Example:
Distillation of ethanol from mixture of water and ethanol

water
out
Liebig condenser

porcelain chips
water
in

distillate (pure ethanol)

a) Water and ethanol can be separated by distillation – because they have different boiling point.
b) Boiling point of ethanol – 78°C; boiling point of water – 100°C.
c) Function of porcelain – break up the air bubbles in the water during boiling and prevent
‘bumping’ in the water.
d) Function of Liebig condenser – cools and condenses the ethanol vapour into liquid.
e) Water enters the Liebig condenser from below to top – to ensure that the condenser is always
filled with water.
f) Distillate is not 100% pure ethanol – because water can evaporate at temperature below its
boiling point (100°C)

8
 Copyright © Ann Wong Science . Form 4 . Chapter 4

5. Crystallisation
• Process of heating a saturated solution and cooling the solution to allow crystals to settle out.
• To obtain crystals (solid) from a solution.
• Example:
Crystallisation of copper sulphate

a) Impure copper sulphate is dissolved in water until a saturated solution is obtained.

b) The saturated solution is poured into an evaporating dish, leaving behind the residue.
c) The saturated solution is heated slowly until one third of its original volume is left.
d) The saturated solution is allowed to cool and for the crystals to form.
e) The cold solution is then filtered to collect the crystals.
f) The crystals are dried on a filter paper.