MATTER

Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. Matter includes things that we
can see and things that we cannot see. Below is a diagram showing the classification
matter.

A pure substance is a form of matter that has definite of constant composition and
distinct properties. Examples of pure substances are water, oxygen, gold, sodium chloride,
and urea.

A pure substance may be an element or compound. An element is a substance that

cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means. There are more than 100
elements that have been identified. Most of them are naturally occurring others are made
using nuclear processes. Each element is represented by a symbol. The symbols of the
elements makes use of one or two letters, the first letter is always capitalized and is usually
the first letter of the name of the element. Most elements have symbols derived from its
English name, such as chlorine, Cl, Sulfur, S and calcium, Ca, others are from their Latin
name, example Na for
sodium from its latin
name, Natrium and K for
potassium from Kalium.
A compound is a
substance composed of
atoms of two or more
elements chemically
combined in fixed
proportions.
Compounds, and unlike
mixtures, can be
separated into their pure
components only by
chemical means. Water decomposes into its component elements, hydrogen gas and
oxygen gas when an electric current is passed through it. The compounds are represented
by chemical formula, which shows the chemical composition of the compound in terms of
the symbols for the atoms of the elements involved. The formula for water is H2O, NaCl for
sodium chloride, C12H22O11 for sucrose (table sugar) etc.

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances in varying proportions.

Examples are air, coffee, cement, soil. A mixture may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.
A homogenous mixture has uniform composition throughout while a heterogenous mixture
does not have uniform composition. Mixtures may be created or separated into its pure
components by physical means. After the separation, the substances have the same
composition and properties as before the mixing.

(a)The mixture
(heterogeneous)
that contains iron
and sand. (b) a
magnet separates
iron filings from the
mixture. Both
components
retained their
properties after the
separation.
How to Distinguish Element, Compound or Mixture

Below is a diagram that will help you distinguish element, compound or mixture.

Methods of Separation

Mixtures may be separated into its

components by physical means. Some
common methods of separation are
magnetic attraction, filtration, evaporation,
distillation and decantation.

Filtration is a process in which solid particles

in a liquid or gaseous fluid are removed by
the use of a medium that permits the fluid to
pass through but retains the solid particles.
The fluid that passes through the filter is
called filtrate.
Evaporation is a method of separating a soluble solid
from a liquid by heating the liquid mixture to dryness,
allowing the liquid to evaporate and leaving solid in
the container. The solid left after evaporation is
called residue.

Distillation is a process involving

conversion of a liquid into vapor
that is susequently condensed back
to liquid form. The condensed
liquid is called distillate. Distillation
is based on the different boiling
points of the components. The
technique may be used to separate
components of a mixture or to aid in
purification.

Decantation is a process for the separation of

immiscible liquids or a liquid and a solid
mixture. The layer closer to the top of the
container – the less dense of the two liquids,
or the liquid from which the precipitate or
sediment has settled out – is poured off,
leaving the other component or the more
dense liquid of the mixture behind. The liquid
that is being poured off is called supernatant
liquid.
States of Matter

Matter may come in the form of gas, liquid or solid. A gas has no fixed volume or
shape. It takes the shape and volume of the container. A liquid has fixed volume but no
definite shape. It takes the shape of the portion of the container it occupies. A solid has
definite shape and definite volume. Both solid and liquid can not be compressed to any
appreciable extent.

In a gas, the molecules are far

apart, and moving in random motion.
Compressing the gas decreases the
space between molecules. In liquids,
the molecules are packed close together
but the molecules can move still move
rapidly. The rapid motion allows
molecules to slide over one another,
thus, a liquid pours easily. In solid, the
molecules are held tightly together,
usually in definite arrangement in which
the molecules can wiggle only slightly in
their fixed position. Changes in
temperature and/or pressure can lead
to conversion from one state of matter
to another, as water is liquid at normal
temperature but solid when placed in a
freezer. In cold places, water can exist
as solid, liquid and gas, as shown in the
figure. The red arrows show the
conversion of one state of water into another.
Properties of Matter

One way to describe a matter is to observe its properties. The properties of matter
may be classified as physical or chemical properties. A physical property may be observed
or measured without affecting the identity of a substance. Shape, color and state are
examples of physical properties. A chemical property describes the way a substance change
or react to form a new substance or substances. The ability of a substance to burn or metals
to rust are examples of chemical properties.

Measurable properties of matter may be intensive property or extensive property.

Temperature, density and boiling or melting point are examples of intensive properties.
These properties do not depend on the amount of substance being observed. Extensive
properties depend on the amount of substance being observed, examples are mass and
volume.

Physical and Chemical Change

The changes that matter undergoes may be physical or chemical change. A physical
change does not involve change in composition. Examples of a physical change are, change
of state, solid to liquid, liquid to gas or solid to gas. Chemical change involves formation of
one or more new substances. Rusting of iron is an example of a chemical change.

Evidences of a chemical change

a. change in color
b. formation of precipitate
c. evolution/absorption of heat
d. evolution of gas
e. production of mechanical energy

Changes in matter also involve energy. When heat is absorbed during the change, the
change is endothermic change. When heat is evolved, the change is exothermic.

Laws of Chemical Change

Law of Conservation of Mass.

There is no detectable gain or loss of mass in a chemical change.

Law of Definite Proportions

When elements combine to form a given compound, they do so in a fixed and
invariable ratio by mass.
Exercises:

1. Which of the following figures represents (a) pure element,(b) a mixture of two elements,
(c) a pure compound, (d) a mixture of an element and a compound?

2. Does the following diagram represent a chemical or physical change? How do you know?

3. “White gold” contains gold and a “white” metal, such as palladium. Two samples of white
gold differ in the relative amounts of gold and palladium it contain. Both samples are
uniform in composition throughout. Classify white gold, is it element, compound or mixture.
4. Aspirin is composed of 60.0% carbon, 4.5% hydrogen, and 35.5% oxygen by mass, regardless
of its source. Classify aspirin.
5. Classify each of the following as physical or chemical change.
a. Gold is hammered to form gold leaf.
b. Gasoline burns.
c. Garlic is chopped into small pieces.
d. Bubbles formed when baking powder is placed in vinegar.
e. Food is digested.
f. Sodium metal reacts explosively with water.
g. Water vapor condenses to form rain.
6. In the process of attempting to characterize a substance, a chemist makes the following
observations: The substance is a silvery, lustrous metal. It melys at 649oC and boils at
1105oC. its density at 20oC is 1.738 g/cm3. The substance burns in air, producing an intense
 white light. It reacts with chlorine to give a brittle white solid. The substance can be
pounded into thin sheets or drawn into wires. It is a good conductor of electricity. Which of
these characteristics are physical properties, and which are chemical properties?
7. Indicate whether each of the following describes a gas, liquid or solid.
a. The particles in an ice cube are held in a rigid structure.
b. The breathing mixture in a scuba tank has no definite volume or shape.
c. Lemonade has definite volume but it takes the shape of its container.
d. Helium occupies the entire balloon.