Matter Basics
This term describes anything that has mass and takes up space.
Matter
This state has a definite shape and volume.
Solid
Temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid.
Melting
A substance made of only one type of particle, like pure gold.
Pure Substance
A block of wood has a volume of 150 cm³ and a mass of 120 g. Water has a density of 1 g/cm³.
Question:
Will the block float or sink?
Density of wood = Mass ÷ Volume = 120 ÷ 150 = 0.8 g/cm³
Compare to water: 0.8 < 1 → floats
This is the amount of matter in an object and does NOT depend on gravity.
Mass
This state has definite volume but takes the shape of its container.
Liquid
Temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid.
Freezing
A physical combination of two or more substances.
Mixture
A small rock has a volume of 50 cm³. Its density is 2 g/cm³.
Question: What is the mass of the rock?
Mass = Density × Volume = 2 × 50 = 100 g
This law explains why matter is not created or destroyed during a chemical or physical change.
Law of Conservation of Mass
This state has no definite shape or volume.
Gas
Temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas.
Boiling
A mixture that looks the same throughout, like salt water.
Homogeneous
A metal cube has a mass of 300 g and a density of 6 g/cm³.
Question: What is the volume of the cube?
Volume = Mass ÷ Density = 300 ÷ 6 = 50 cm³
Ice in a cup melts. What stays the same even though the shape changes?
Mass
Liquids and gases are grouped together because they can flow.
Fluid
Water slowly turning into gas on a hot day without boiling.
Evaporation
A mixture where you can see the different parts, like salad or cereal.
Hererogeneous
A block of wood floats in water. Its volume is 120 cm³.
Question: If the wood’s density = 0.8 g/cm³, what is its mass?
120 × 0.8 = 96 g
This property describes a substance’s ability to burn.
Combustability
Steam rising from a pot is an example of this state of matter.
Gas
Dry ice turning directly from solid to gas.
Sublimation
This type of property does not depend on the amount of substance.
Intensive
A rock is placed in a graduated cylinder filled with water.
Initial water level: 50 mL
Water level after adding the rock: 70 mL
The rock’s density = 2 g/mL
a) What is the volume of the rock?
b) What is the mass of the rock?
Volume = 70 – 50 = 20 mL
Mass = Density × Volume = 2 × 20 = 40 g