GENERAL CHEMISTRY
Properties of Matter
DAY 1: Recognizing the
Particle Nature of Matter
The Particle Theory of Matter postulates the
following:
 Spaces between the individual particles are
very large compared to the sizes of the particles.
 Particles of matter have spaces between
them
 Particles attract each other
 All particles of the same substance are
identical to each other in every way.
 Different substances are made of different
particles
 Each pure substance is made of just one
kind of particle
 Matter is made up of tiny particles
 All matter is made of extremely tiny
particles (much, much smaller than cells)
 Particles are always in motion. The
temperature of the particles controls how much they
move about. As temperature increases, kinetic
energy increases and particles of matter move
faster.
DAY 2: Identifying States of
Matter and Phase Changes
State of matter- is one of the distinct forms in
which matter can exist.
Solid- maintains a fixed volume and shape, with
component particles close together and fixed into
place.
Liquid - maintains a fixed volume, but has a
variable shape that adapts to fit its container. Its
particles are still close together but move freely.
Gaseous state- has both variable volume and
shape, adapting both to fit its container. Its particles
are neither close together nor fixed in place.
Plasma state- has variable volume and shape, but
as well as neutral atoms, it contains a significant
number of ions and electrons, both of which can
move around freely.
NOTE: THE STATE OF MATTER CHANGES
AS YOU ADD MORE ENERGY
DAY 03: Identifying
Physical properties of matter
 are properties that can be measured or
observed without matter changing to a different
substance.
 are things you can see, hear, smell, or feel
with your senses.
 is one that can be observed without
changing its composition.
Examples: Color, Hardness, Electrical
conductivity, Heat conductivity, Melting point,
Boiling point and phase changes.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES ARE
CATEGORIZED AS:
1. Intensive properties- are properties that do not
depend on the amount of matter present.
EXAMPLE: Color, Odor, Taste, Luster,
Malleability, Ductility, Conductivity, Hardness,
Melting/ freezing point, Boiling point, Density.
2. Extensive properties- are the properties that do
depend on the amount of matter present.
EXAMPLE: Weight, Volume, Length, Width,
Mass, Surface area.
Chemical property
 is one which is observed when matter
undergoes a transformation that results in a change
of composition.
 how the composition of a substance
changes or does not change when it interacts with
other substances or energy forms.
 DAY 04: Classifying Matter

ACID- substance that yield hydrogen ions (H+)

when dissolved in water
BASE- substance that yield hydroxide ions (OH-)
when dissolved in water
COLLOID- a dispersion of particles of one
substance throughout a dispersing medium made of
another substance
COMPOUND- substance composed of atoms of
two or more elements chemically united in fixed
proportions
ELEMENTS- substance that cannot be separated
into simpler substances by chemical means
HETEROGENEOUS MIXTURE- the individual
component of a mixture remain physically
separated and can be seen as separate components
HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE- the composition
of mixture, after sufficient stirring, is the same
throughout the solution DAY 05: Gathering
INORGANIC COMPOUND- compounds other Quantitative Data
than organic compounds
MATTER- anything that occupies space and has
mass Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measured
METAL- element that are good conductor of heat value to a standard or known value.
and electricity and have the tendency to form
positive ions in ionic compounds Precision refers to the closeness of two or more
METALLOID- element with properties measurements to each other. It is independent of
intermediate between those of metals and non- accuracy.
metals
MIXTURE- combination of two or more Volume= length x width x height
substances in which the substances retain their Example: V = 2cm x 1cm x 1cm = 2cm3
identity
NON- METAL- element that usually poor Density= mass/ volume
conductors of heat and electricity Example: D=10g/2cm3 = 5g/cm3
ORGANIC COMPOUND- compounds that
contain carbon, usually in combination with Three rules on determining how many
elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and significant figures are in a number:
sulfur 1. Non-zero digits are always significant.
OXIDES - substances that contains at least one 2. Any zeros between two significant digits are
oxygen atom and one other element in its chemical significant.
formula 3. A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal
SALTS - is the product of the reaction between an portion ONLY are significant.
acid and a base (other than water). An inorganic salt
is just any salt that doesn't contain carbon. Addition and Subtraction
SOLUTION- A homogeneous mixture of two or  Look at the places to the decimal point.
more substances  Add or subtract in the normal fashion, then
SUBSTANCE- a form of matter that has a definite round the answer to the LEAST number of
or constant composition places to the decimal point of any number in
SUSPENSION- heterogeneous mixture in which the problem.
relatively large particles scattered through solid,
liquid, gas and it is bigger than solution and colloid
Multiplication and Division

 The LEAST number of significant figures in

any number of the problem determines the
number of significant figures in the answer.
 This means you MUST know how to recognize
significant figures in order to use this rule.