Properties Of Matter And Their Measurement

Any substance that has mass and volume is matter. All matter has both physical and chemical properties. So then, can you see or eat air? Absolutely not. Then why is air considered to be matter? That is because it has a specific mass and also occupies space. So, although you might not be able to eat or hold it, you still can feel it.

So how do you distinguish these substances? You do so by defining their physical and chemical attributes. Physical properties change, but never cause any change in the composition of the substance. On the other hand, the chemical properties can cause changes to form new substances, completely different from the previous one. 

So, how do you define the properties of matter and their measurements? Before diving into these details, let’s take a closer look at the composition of matter.

Matter & Its Composition

As already stated, any substance occupying space and having proper mass is called matter. Matter can be classified into macro and microscopic levels. We classify matter into elements, compounds, and mixtures at the macroscopic level. On the other hand, we can classify matter into solids, liquids, and gases at the microscopic level. 

Three States Of Matter

Solid, liquid, and gas are the three fundamental states of matter. These three states of matter can change only when the temperature changes. Generally, matter will move to an active state at a higher temperature. Similarly, when the temperature continues to decrease, matter proceeds to an inactive state.

Solids

The constituent particles are always closely packed together in the solid structure. This is because the intermolecular forces between these particles are powerful and stop them from moving freely away from each other. As a result of such construction, a solid has a definite shape, size, and volume. 

Only an outside force acting on the body can cause a change in the solid structure. But solids can transform into liquids and then into gas with the application of heat. Solids can also directly change into the gaseous state through the sublimation process.

Liquids

The liquid is the incompressible fluid that can take up the shape of its container. However, the liquid has a definite volume that is independent of pressure. The volume will remain constant only if the temperature and pressure remain constant. When you heat a solid above its melting point, it changes into the liquid state, and more heat changes it into gas. 

The intermolecular interactions among the particles in the liquid are slightly weaker than that of the solids. So, the molecules can move freely and take up the container’s shape. However, the volume of liquids is greater than the corresponding solid.

Gases

Gas is a compressible fluid with no definite shape or volume. The gaseous molecules have enough kinetic energy that makes the intermolecular force between the particles negligible or zero. The typical distance between the neighbouring particles is greater than its molecular size. Therefore, it can occupy the entire container without a definite shape or volume. 

Elements 

Element is the simplest form of substance that cannot be disintegrated into any other particles. Therefore, every element is formed of its own atom. Examples of elements include oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.

Compounds

A compound is a chemical substance made of two or more atoms of elements linked by strong chemical bonds. Only chemical reactions can break the chemical bonds between these atoms to form new substances. An example is a water molecule that is formed by the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen atoms. 

Mixtures

In physics and chemistry, a mixture is made of two or more different chemical substances. But unlike the compounds, these substances are not chemically bonded with each other. Instead, using temperature and pressure, one can easily separate the constituents of a mixture without any chemical reaction. A mixture is available in different forms like colloids, suspensions, solutions, etc. An example is sugar solution, which is a mixture of sugar and water. 

Physical Properties Of Matter

By referring to the properties, you can easily distinguish between different matters. A physical property of matter is a characteristic that doesn’t cause any changes in the substance’s chemical composition. Some familiar examples of a substance’s physical properties are:

• Colour
• Hardness
• Density
• Boiling point
• Freezing point
• Melting point
• Electrical conductivity

Some of these properties, like density and colour will not cause any physical changes in the state of matter. But the melting and boiling points are the properties that can immediately change the state of matter. 

Example: Melting of ice causes a change of state from solid to liquid. It occurs due to the application of heat and is a physical change, as it does not alter the chemical composition of water. 

So, any property that can be measured, like mass, volume, density, malleability, length, odour, temperature, colour, etc., is referred to as the physical property of matter.

Chemical Properties of matter

Chemical properties are the characteristics of matter that are measurable and observable only during a chemical change. The chemical properties of matter include reactivity, ability to rust, flammability, toxicity, oxidation states, coordination number, the heat of combustion, etc. 

These characteristics can change only during chemical reactions. As these are very specific to the substances, hence, these are used for differentiating better particles. That is also helpful, as the chemical properties of every substance participating in the reaction undergo permanent changes. 

Examples of chemical properties are: 

• Coordination number
• Reactivity
• Flammability
• Acidity or basicity
• Oxidation states
• Radioactivity
• Enthalpy of formation
• Toxicity
• Types of chemical bonds formed
• Heat of combustion
• Chemical stability under specific conditions

Units For Measuring Properties Of Matter

We need units to measure both the physical and chemical properties of matter. Both fundamental and derived units are used to measure these properties correctly. The fundamental units are the ones that cannot be derived from each other or further be resolved into any other units. Here is a list of the seven fundamental units of measurements used in the S.I. system.

The derived units are the ones that are expressed as the functions of more than one fundamental unit. For example, here is a list of the derived units of measurements used in the S.I. system.

Conclusion

Understanding the properties of matter and its measurements can help you distinguish between the physical and chemical changes occurring within the substance. Chemical properties are beneficial for identifying different substances and thereby help in placing them successfully in the periodic table.