Matter and its Nature

Particles are the building blocks of matter. In nature, the matter is not continuous and is a particle, or in other words, a matter is stated to be made up of particles, which are atoms and molecules. The matter particles are extremely small. The features of matter’s particle nature are as follows:

• Particles are what makes up matter.

• There is interparticle space in matter.

• The particles that make up matter are extremely minuscule.

• The particles are in a state of motion and are unsatisfactory.

• As temperature increases ,the particles start moving faster.

What is Matter?

Matter is defined as everything that has mass and takes up space. Everything we see around us is made of matter.

What about air? We can’t see it, and it doesn’t have mass. Is it also relevant?

Yes, not only the air we breathe but also everything in our environment is made up of matter. Massive structures, bridges, electrons revolving around a nucleus, DNA in our cells, the ground beneath our feet, and so on are all made up of matter.

Classification of matter

Based on the physical state, the classification of matter can be done into three states, i.e., 

1. Solids

2. Liquids

3. Gases

Solids

Solids are substances in which the particles are held close to one another by strong intermolecular forces. The particles are firmly fixed in place and only move in a vibratory manner. Solids have a defined shape as well as a defined volume. For example, metals, plastic, wood, etc.

Liquids

Liquids are fluids in which the intermolecular interactions are weak enough to allow particles to flow around freely. The particles are bound together and have more freedom than solids. Liquids have a definite volume but no definite shape; they usually take the shape of the container they are placed in. For example, water, milk, etc.

Gases

The molecules in this form of substance have very weak forces between them, they are free to move. In comparison to solids and liquids, the space between molecules is large. Gases don’t have a set shape or a defined volume. They tend to fill the container they are placed in. For example, air, oxygen, hydrogen, methane, etc.

By varying the temperature and pressure, matter can be changed from one state to another. The composition of matter also influences its nature. A mixture is defined as a substance that contains more than one type of particle, whereas a pure substance is defined as a substance that contains just one type of particle. Homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures are the two types of mixtures. Elements and compounds are subdivisions of pure substances.

InterConversion of state 

Melting

Melting is defined as the transition from a solid to a liquid state. (Liquid-Solid)

Melting Point

The temperature at which a substance melts is known as its melting point.

Freezing

Freezing is the transition from a liquid to a solid state.

Freezing Point

The temperature at which a liquid transforms into a solid is known as the freezing point.

Boiling 

Boiling is the process of causing bubbles to form in a liquid once it has been heated to a specific temperature.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid begins to boil is known as the boiling point.

Condensation

Condensation, also known as liquefaction, is the process of converting a gaseous state to a liquid form.

Sublimation

Sublimation is the transformation of a solid into a gas without melting into a liquid.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter

Physical Properties

Physical properties are those which can be measured without changing the chemical composition of a substance, such as mass, volume, density, and refractive index.

Chemical Properties

Chemical properties refer to a property that can be evaluated at the cost of the matter itself. Example : Types of chemical bond,Toxicity,heat of combustion, reactivity etc. are chemical properties of a substance.

 In labs,there are few bottles of chemicals on which  symbol of skull and crossbones is present  .This symbol represents the chemical property  of that chemical i.e,it is highly toxic.

Other Definitions

Elements

The element is known as the most basic part present in all pure substances. Its smallest unit is called an atom.  118 elements have been discovered till date of which 92 are naturally occurring and the rest resulting from artificial transmutation. There are 92 metals, 20 non-metals, and 6 metalloids in the universe.

Compounds

A compound is a non-elemental pure material in which more than one atom of each element is joined by chemical bonds produced as a result of a chemical process. The molecule that results is an electrically neutral particle with a constant composition. For example, water is a chemical substance made of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen.

Mixtures

Mixtures are made up of several different types of pure substances, each of which retains its chemical identity. Unlike a compound, their constituent ratio can change. Based on the composition, there are two types of mixtures.

Homogeneous mixtures

Homogeneous mixtures are those mixtures in which the composition remains uniform throughout. For example, aqueous solution.

Heterogeneous mixtures

Heterogeneous mixtures are those mixtures in which the composition of each component varies. For example, concrete mixtures. 

Physical Quantities

The quantitative features of the substance are called physical properties. The measurement of any substance is based on numbers and units. The units of measurement are expressed as standard units or S.I.

A few examples of such quantities are :

Conclusion 

The matter and its nature support various properties like physical properties, chemical properties, properties based on the state of matter, i.e., solids, liquids, or gases and their characteristics. However, the nature of matter remains a large field of study, and recent advances have revealed several new states of matter. The Boson-Einstein condensate and plasma are two more states of matter that scientists have recently discovered.