Y9 MATTER STUDENT NOTES (Reviewed 2022)

SPECIFIC LEARNING Building Knowledge Near Connections Wider connections

OUTCOMES AND
SUCCESS CRITERIA :        

Learning Intentions Success Criteria

1. Compare the three  I can define matter as anything that has mass  I can link particle attraction to  I can discuss particle
states of matter at and occupies space volume attraction and its link to
the particle level  I can define density  I can link particle attraction to volume and compressibility
 I can state the particle theory of matter compressibility
 I can draw diagrams to show how solid, liquid
and gas particles are arranged
 I can define the physical properties of matter
(compressibility, space between the particles
and volume, shape)

2. Investigate and  I can explain density  I can measure mass and  I am able to Investigate
explain density  I can use a simple formula to calculate volume of a variety of solids flotation for a variety of solids
* and apply a density and liquids to determine and liquids in water and other
formula density. liquids, and relate the results to
density in a wider contest with
 I can investigate flotation for a
my own examples.
* (Extension) variety of solids and liquids in
water and other liquids, and
relate the results to density
3. Discuss the changes  I can define melting, freezing/solidification,  I can create a diagram that I can discuss why changes of
of state (Phases) evaporation/boiling, condensation, shows all changes of state state occur in terms of heat
sublimation, reverse sublimation between solid, liquid and gas energy, kinetic energy,
 I can explain a change of state movement of particles,
 I can state that for the same substance (e.g. in reference to temperature Forces between particles,
water), its gas state will have the most particle and gain or loss of heat size of the spaces between
energy, and its solid state has the least particle energy particles, phase change
energy.

4. Explain the process  I can define diffusion  I can use the concentration
of Diffusion at the  I can define a concentration gradient gradient to explain why
particle level diffusion occurs

5. Explain the I can define dissolving  I can explain the process of

processes of I can define the words solute, solvent and dissolving in terms of solvent
dissolving at the solution molecules surrounding and
particle level  I can define dilute, concentrated and saturated breaking apart the solute
particles to create a solution

6. Explain the nature  I can define the terms element, compound and I can compare elements,
of a substance mixture giving examples. compounds and mixtures in
using its chemical terms of particle make-up.
make-up.

7. Discuss the  I can define physical change, giving examples. I can write a word equation I can determine and
difference between  I can define chemical change, giving examples. given the reactants and justify whether a given
a physical and a  I can list observations used to identify that a products (must use an process involves a
chemical change arrow). physical or chemical
chemical change has occurred (colour change,
precipitation, temperature change, bubbling, change including equation
where relevant.
disappearance of reactant, light produced).
 I can use observations from an experiment to
 determine whether a chemical or physical change
has occurred.
 I can identify the reactants and the products in a
reaction.

I can carry out a variety of experiments to

demonstrate physical and chemical change
(reactants and products are given).

8. Explain how  I can define a mixture, giving examples
mixtures are  I can define the separation techniques of
separated using the
differences in their
physical properties
 I can safely carry out I can discuss how to
separation techniques in separate complex
decanting, filtering, centrifuging, evaporation, the laboratory mixtures by linking the
distillation, chromatography and magnetic  I can explain how the physical properties of the
separation techniques of decanting substances in the mixture
and filtration separate to the separation
mixtures by using the
technique(s) used.
different particle sizes of
substances in the mixture
 I can explain how the
techniques of distillation
and evaporation separate
mixtures by using the
different boiling points of
substances in the mixture
I can explain how the
techniques of
chromatography separates
mixtures by using the
different sizes of soluble
particles in the mixture
KEY TERMS:

Matter Any substance that is made up of particles that occupy space and have mass

Particle The building blocks of matter (atoms)

Mass The amount of particles in an object

Volume The space an object occupies

Compressibility The ability to be made smaller/ particles can be pushed closer together

Melting The change of state from solid to liquid

Freezing The change of state from liquid to solid

Evaporation The change of state from liquid to gas which occurs slowly at the surface of
the liquid

Boiling Heating a liquid to change the state from liquid to gas, which occurs quickly
in the main body of the liquid.

Vaporisation  The change of state from liquid to gas

Condensation  the change in state from a gas to a liquid

Sublimation  the change in state from a solid to a gas

Reverse sublimation  the change in state from a gas to a solid

Kinetic energy  A type of energy held by moving any matter that is moving

Diffusion  the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of

low concentration until particles are evenly spread out

Dissolving  the process of mixing a solid (solute) and a liquid (solvent) to make a
solution

Solute  the substance that dissolves in a solvent

Solvent  the substance which a solute dissolves in

Solution  a mixture formed when a solute has dissolved in a solvent

Concentration  the amount of a substance in a defined space

Dilute  A solution containing a small amount of solute

Concentrated A solution containing a large amount of solute

Saturated  A solution that cannot dissolve any more solute

Mixture A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically joined

Decanting  pouring off the liquid portion of a mixture to leave only the solid

Filtering  a process that separates solids and liquids based on particle size

Distillation  a process that separates a mixture of two or more liquids

Chromatography  a process that separates mixtures of coloured compounds

Magnetic separation  a process that separates magnetic materials out of a mixture

Element a substance containing only one type of atom

Compound a pure substance consisting of two or, or more, elements which are
chemically joined.

Molecule a group of atoms joined together.

Physical change a reversible change where no chemical reaction occurs

Chemical change a (usually) irreversible chemical reaction where new substances are formed

Precipitate an insoluble solid that separates out from solution during a reaction
between two solutions

Reactants the substances initially present in a chemical reaction that are used up
during the reaction to make products

Products the substances that are formed in a chemical reaction

Density Density is mass per unit volume, or the amount of matter packed into a

space.
The three states of matter at the particle level

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. The study of matter is hugely
important as it is what links all the science together, biology, chemistry, physics, geology
and astronomy.

The particle theory of matter explains the behaviour of particles in three states of matter
(Solid, liquid and gas).

PARTICLE SOLID LIQUID GAS

SIZE
Shape and retains a fixed assumes the shape assumes the shape and
Particles of a certain type (e.g. Water, sugar etc) DO

Volume volume and shape  of the part of the volume of its container 
rigid - particles container which it particles can move past
locked into place occupies  one another
particles can
move/slide past
one another
NOT change size.

Compressibility not easily not easily compressible 

compressible  compressible  lots of free space
little free space little free space between particles
between particles between particles
Particle Particles are held Particles are fairly Particles have little
attraction tightly and packed close together with attraction between
fairly close some attraction them and are free to
together - they are between them move in all directions -
strongly attracted colliding with each
to each other other and with the
walls of a container

According to the particle theory of matter, all particles are in constant motion due to the
energy that they have. Increasing temperature will increase the energy a particle has, and
thus make it vibrate more. The vibration of particles affects the forces of attraction between
them. With the input of more energy, particles vibrate more, and thus start to loosen their
forces of attraction.

Comparing Solids, Liquids and Gases.

Solids can be hard like a rock, soft like fur, big like an asteroid, or small like grains of sand.
The key is that solids hold their shape, have a fixed volume, fixed shape and they don't flow
like a liquid. A rock will always look like a rock unless something happens to it. The same
goes for a diamond.

Solids can hold their shape because their molecules are tightly packed together which
makes them very difficult to compress. In the same way that a large solid holds its shape,
the atoms inside of a solid are not allowed to move around too much and are locked
together by very strong forces of attraction. The molecules in a solid are stuck in a specific
structure or arrangement of atoms. The atoms still vibrate but the entire atom will not
change its position.

Liquids fill the shape of any container they are in, so therefore liquids have a fixed volume
but do not have a fixed shape. If you pour water in a cup, it will fill up the bottom of the cup
first and then fill the rest. Another physical property of liquids is that they are difficult to
compress.

The molecules in gases are really spread out, full of energy, and constantly moving around
in random ways. This makes them easier to compress. Gases can fill a container of any size
or shape. It doesn't matter how big the container is. The molecules spread out to fill the
whole space equally. Think about a balloon. No matter what shape you make the balloon, it
will be evenly filled with the gas molecules. Even if you make a balloon animal, the
molecules are spread equally throughout the entire shape.

You can find compressed gases in SCUBA air tanks. Liquids are in the middle, but tend to be
difficult to compress because the molecules are already close together. You probably can’t
compress a liquid with your hands. It takes a lot of force.
 * DENSITY – EXTENSION
Which is heavier – a kilogram of lead or a kilogram of feathers?
Of course, they would both be the same. However, the kilogram of feathers will take up
much more space than the lead.
When we say that lead is ‘heavy’, we generally mean that is has a high density.
Density compares the masses of equal volumes of materials. Density is often written as
‘p’ .

Density is calculated using a formula: density = mass/volume

Or

The mass of an object can be measured using a laboratory balance. To find the volume
of odd-shaped objects like stones or rubber stoppers, we can measure the volume of
water displaced (pushed away) by putting them in a measuring cylinder.
Challenge: Kim wanted to find the density of two objects. The diagrams show what
happened when he measured the mass and volume of each object:

So: referring to the information in the diagram, complete the table:

 OBJECT A OBJECT B
Mass (g)

Volume of water used (mL)

Volume of object + water

(mL)
Volume of object (mL)

Density of object (g mL-1 )

More questions on density:

1. An object will sink if it is more dense than the liquid it is placed in. Both of these
objects are more dense than water, but what will happen if each one is placed in
mercury? (density 13.6g mL-1)?

Object A will _________ in mercury. Object B will _________ in mercury.

2. The diagram shows the results of another density experiment. Estimate the densities
of the object in the measuring cylinder.

Cork: less than ___________

Rubber: Greater than _____ but less than ____

Hardwood: equal to ____________

Chalk: greater than ______________ but less

than ___________

Source:
Wignall et

Change of state
The three different states of matter can change from one state to another (i.e. a solid can
change into a liquid). In order to change from one state to another the particles need to gain
energy in the form of heat. When heat energy is applied to an object it causes the particles
to move around more. One of the key differences between the three states of matter is how
fast the particles are moving.

All changes of state

are due to a change
in how much energy
the particles have.
This affects the
particle arrangement.

Kinetic energy is the

energy of motion

How to write about changes in state…..

E.g. Melting
1. Name the change in state
2. Link heat energy and kinetic energy
3. Link change in energy to attractive forces
between particles
There is a change of state from Solid to liquid.
With an input of heat energy, particles gain
kinetic energy.
Thus the particles are vibrating faster and so
the attractive forces between them weaken,
but do not break.

The process of diffusion

DIFFUSION The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration, until the concentrations are equal.

If someone opens a bottle of

perfume in the middle of the
classroom you soon smell it in other
parts of the room. The fragrance
spreads through the air in all
directions. This gradual mixing of
substances is called diffusion. Or, you
could think of food colouring that
spreads out in a glass of water, or air
freshener sprayed in a room.

The process of dissolving

Dissolving is when particles (for example sugar particles)
are put into water, and the two types of particles (sugar
and water) are attracted to each other, forming a
solution.

In this example, sugar particles are grouped together,

but if you put a spoonful into warm water the sugar
dissolves. This means the water particles have been
attracted to the sugar particles, thus breaking up the
groupings of the sugar particles.

This process continues until all of the sugar crystals have dissolved. Following this, the
dissolved sugar particles diffuse throughout the solvent until their concentration is equal
throughout the solution.

SOLUTE The molecules of the substance that get dissolved (e.g. sugar)
SOLVENT The molecules of the substance that do the dissolving (e.g. water)
SOLUTION The resulting mixture of two types of particle (e.g. sugar water)

A dilute solution is a solution that only has a small amount of solute dissolved in the solvent.
A concentrated solution is one that has a large amount of solute dissolved in the solvent.
A saturated solution is a solution that is so concentrated that no more solute will dissolve.
 The Nature of a substance based on
Chemical Makeup
An element is a substance made of only one type of atom. An element cannot be split into
simpler substances.
Examples:

 Copper
 Carbon
 Sulfur
 Nitrogen

A compound is a substance where two or more DIFFERENT types of atoms are chemically
bonded in a fixed ratio.
Examples: Water is a compound as it is made up of two HYDROGEN atoms and one oxygen
atom chemically bonded together.

Other examples include: Carbon Dioxide

• Sugar (C6H12O6)
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Marble
• Alcohol
• Vinegar
Each compound has its own formula. A formula shows what elements are in the compound
and how many atoms of each element are in the compound.

Example: Carbon Dioxide

The compound carbon dioxide has

the formula CO2 – it contains one
carbon atom (black) for every two
oxygen atoms (red).
 Below is another example of the compound water:

The atoms in compounds are joined together by bonds.

A mixture is made up of two or more substances (compounds and/or elements/atoms).
Mixtures can easily be separated as they are not chemically combined.

Example of a typical question and answer:

Compare elements, compounds and mixtures in terms of particle make-up.

QUESTION: A student bubbled oxygen gas (O2) through a bucket of salt water. The formula
for salt is NaCl and the formula for water is H2O. Identify an element, compound and
mixture that resulted from this experiment and justify your choice.

ANSWER: The oxygen gas is an element as it only contains one type of atom in its structure.
The only atom that it contains is oxygen. The salt is a compound as it contains two different
atoms bonded together – sodium and chlorine. Water is also a compound as it contains
hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The mixture is the water, salt and oxygen contained in the
bucket as a mixture is made up of different substances mixed/ combined together.
 Physical and Chemical Change
Changes to substances happen all the time – butter melts, water boils, cut apples turn
brown, iron nails rust.
These changes can be divided into physical and chemical changes.

Physical changes are when the form

of a substance changes. It is still the same
substance, just in a different state. For
example, ice melting is a physical change.
It is changing state of matter, solid to
liquid. No new substance is formed.
With physical changes no new substances
are formed, thus they can be easily
reversed (not a permanent change).

Examples are melting ice and refreezing the water; evaporating the water
and condensing the water vapour, heating up metal by passing an electric
current through it and cooling the metal.

Chemical changes are where one or

more substances are changed into one or
more new products or substances. Chemical
changes cannot be easily reversed
(permanent change).
Examples of chemical changes are burning
paper, baking a cake from flour, milk and
eggs, or making play dough out of flour and
water.

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Below is a diagram outlining the types of observations we can use to identify whether a
chemical reaction (a chemical change) has occurred.

Gas
produced
e.g. fizzing,
bubbling

Light Colour
produced Change
Observing
Chemical
Reactions
Change in Heat
Smell produced

Precipitate
(solid in
solution)
formed

Heating zinc oxide – chemical or physical?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEIujFx2Mro

Reactants and products

A Chemical Reaction is when new substances are formed. They can be written as chemical
equations.

 The substances that are reacting together are called the reactants.
 The substance or substances produced are called the products.
 An arrow shows the direction of the reaction

Identify the products and reactants in each chemical equation below:

a) Magnesium metal + oxygen gas  magnesium oxide
b) Hydrogen gas + oxygen gas  water
c) Carbon dioxide + water  glucose + oxygen gas
d) Sodium + chlorine gas  sodium chloride

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Example: Sherbet powder is made up of baking soda and citric
acid. When sherbet gets wet the two chemicals react. A chemical
reaction then occurs which produces bubbles of carbon dioxide
that causes fizz. To make the sherbet taste nice, icing sugar and
some tartaric acid are added.

The word equation of the fizzing of sherbet is:

citric acid + baking soda  sodium citrate + carbon dioxide + water

Example: Living things function through

biochemical reactions. Plants change
simple materials into complex ones.
Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that
changes carbon dioxide and water into
glucose (plant food) and oxygen. The work
equation for photosynthesis is:
Carbon dioxide + water  glucose +
oxygen

Separating mixtures
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MIXTURE The combination of two or more different substances that are physically
combined, not chemically combined

EXTENSION
Heterogeneous mixture = a
mixture where the different
components stay separate
from each other
Homogeneous mixture = a
mixture where the different
components are dispersed
between each other
A pure substance has only one
type of substance in it

There are various different methods to separate mixtures. They all depend on different
physical properties (particle size, magnetism, boiling point).

http://
www.chem4kids.com/
files/matter_mixture.html
Check out this website for
more information on
mixtures

Separation using particle size (used for decanting, filtering)

Decanting: Separation using solubility and density

Decanting means carefully pouring off a liquid without disturbing any solid
settled on the bottom of a container. Decanting is used to separate liquids
from insoluble solids.

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Filtering: Separation using solubility and size

Insoluble solids can be separated from liquids by filtering. The liquid that
passes through the filter paper is called the filtrate. Any solid trapped by the
filter paper is called the residue.

Separation using boiling point (used for distillation, evaporation)

Evaporation: Separation using boiling point

Dissolved solids can be separated from the solvent they are

dissolved in by evaporating the solvent.
E.g. A mixture of salt and water. The water can be evaporated off,
leaving salt.

The Mixtures Lab

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/mixture/mixture.html

Distillation Separation using boiling point

Distillation is used to separate a liquid from a

solution i.e. when 2 liquids are mixed. No two
substances have the same boiling point. This is a
physical property that we can use to separate two
miscible liquids. The liquid with the lowest boiling
point boils first and can be condensed and
collected.

Separation using solubility (used for chromatography)

Chromatography Separation using solubility and colour

Substances can be separated using chromatography because colours

dissolve at different rates and substances attract to surfaces in different
ways. Chromatography can be used to separate mixtures like inks.

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EXTENSION
Magnetic Separation Separation using magnetic attraction

Only 3 metals are magnetic - iron, cobalt and nickel. Substances in a mixture with different
magnetic properties can be separated using a magnet

Separating
mixtures

Two miscible liquids

Insoluble solid and Magnetic metal and Soluble solid and
other solid liquid (liquids that will mix)
liquid
(sand and water) (sand and iron filings) (salt and water) (alcohol and water or a
mixture of inks)

Evaporation
Filtration Decanting Magnetic Heating the Distillation
Chromatography
Using a funnel and Carefully separation solution so that separates the two
filter paper, the liquids as the have Different sized
pouring off the Iron, cobalt and the water molecules travel at
liquid that passes evaporates off different boiling
liquid from the nickel are all points. The liquid different rates up a
through is called solid. magnetic and can will leave the piece of
with the lower
the filtrate and the be separated from solid crystals boiling point will chromatography
solid in the filter other substances behind. evaporate off first paper.
paper is called the using a magnet and is collected
residue through a
condenser.

GLOSSARY
WORD DEFINITION
 Matter
 Particle

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 Volume
 Shape
 Compress
 Arrangement
 Bonding
 Melting
 Freezing
 Evaporation
 Boiling
 Condensation
 Sublimation
 Kinetic energy
 Diffusion
 Concentration
 Dissolving
 Solute
 Solvent
 Solution
 Dilute
 Concentrated
 saturated
 Mixture
 Decanting
 Filtering
 Centrifuging
 Distillation
 Chromatography

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  Magnetism
 element
 compound
 physical change
 chemical change

Practice Questions
1. Using the diagram and your understanding
of the particle theory of matter, explain the
process of diffusion.

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Diffusion is the process of spreading something widely.
The diagram shows the process of diffusion. The particles are gas, so they are always moving
around and never touching, this means that when the lid is taken off, the particles escape
very fast. This usually results in a scent being sprayed out.

2. Use the particle theory of matter to explain the process of salt dissolving in water.
Salt is a solute. When it is added to water is slowly dissolves into the water which is a
solvent. This creates a solution of salt and water.

3. Brass is often used for hardware in construction. It is made up of Zinc (Zn) and Copper
(Cu). Sometimes there is also copper oxide (CuO) present.
Using the above information, identify an example of an element, mixture and compound and
explain your choice.

An element is a single chemical particle. A mixture is when you mix particles together to
create something new. A compound is chemically joined particles.

4. Complete the table below with P for physical change or C for chemical change:
Change
1. Ice cream melts in the sun
2. Cake ingredients mixed together
An egg is fried
Water evaporates at the surface of a pond
Glucose and oxygen react to form energy
during respiration
A cake is cooked in the oven
Physical or Chemical – Justify with
reasons.
1. Physical because no chemicals have
changed it has just melted.
2. Physical because no chemicals have
changed is has just been mixed
together.
Chemical because the particles have changed
Physical because the water particles are still
water
Chemical because two particles have reacted
Chemical because the chemicals have
changed when the cake was baked.

5. As wood is burned in a fire – what observations could you use to support that a chemical
change has occurred?

The particles in the wood have to heat up to burn and the particles change state to escape.

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 6. Magnesium metal reacts with hydrochloric acid to form hydrogen gas and
magnesium chloride in a chemical reaction.

Fill in the blanks to write this as a chemical reaction:

Magnesium metal + hydrochloric acid  hydrogen gas + magnesium chloride

7. In the above reaction – what are the reactants? What are the products?
Magnesium metal and hydrochloric acid are reactants to make the product of
hydrogen gas and magnesium chloride.

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