Matter and Model Building

David Nyirenda

Malawi University of Science and Technology

David Nyirenda (Malawi University of Science and Technology)

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 Introduction

Physicists often rely on models to understand phenomena that cannot

be directly observed.
A model is a system of physical components that represents a
real-world system.
By studying the interactions among components, physicists can make
predictions about the behavior of the system.

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 Historical Models of Matter

Greek philosophers Leucippus and Democritus proposed the concept

of atoms - indivisible particles that make up matter.
J. J. Thomson’s discovery of the electron led to the development of
the first model of the atom with internal structure.
Subsequent models revealed the nucleus composed of protons and
neutrons, with electrons orbiting around it.
Modern understanding suggests that protons and neutrons are made
up of quarks, the fundamental particles of matter.

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 Building Models in Physics

Physics involves building models to understand complex phenomena.

Models identify physical components and predict their behavior based
on interactions within the system and with the environment.
Developing models is essential for solving mathematical problems in
physics.

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 Density and Atomic Mass

Density (ρ) is defined as the mass per unit volume of a substance.

m
It is calculated using the formula: ρ = V, where m is mass and V is
volume.
The atomic mass of an element is the mass of a single atom
measured in atomic mass units (u).
The number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus determines
its atomic mass.

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 Example: Calculating Density

Problem: Calculate the density of a substance if its mass is 50 grams and

its volume is 25 cubic centimeters.
Solution:
m
ρ=
V
50 g
=
25 cm3
= 2 g/cm3

Answer: The density of the substance is 2 grams per cubic centimeter.

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 Exercise

Question: A block of aluminum has a mass of 150 grams and occupies a

volume of 75 cubic centimeters. Calculate the density of aluminum.
Solution:
m
ρ=
V
150 g
=
75 cm3
= 2 g/cm3

Answer: The density of aluminum is 2 grams per cubic centimeter.

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 Conclusion

Understanding the structure of matter and building models to describe

physical phenomena are fundamental aspects of physics. By studying
historical models and employing techniques like dimensional analysis,
physicists gain insights into the nature of the universe and develop
solutions to complex problems.

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