Introduction of Matter

Anything around you that has a mass and takes up a particular space is called matter. Everything constitutes matter – from the air you breathe to what you drink. Matter can be classified based on various parameters like composition, physical state, etc.

Each type of matter has its distinctive compositions and properties. But what are the chemical properties of matter? On what grounds can you decide whether a substance is pure or impure? Why is the air not a mixture and a compound? To answer all these questions, you need to know the basic definition of matter.

Definition of Matter

‘Matter’ is anything that has mass and a specific volume. The mass is the total quantity of matter present inside the substance. The occupied space is the total volume of the matter.

The introduction of matter includes its essential properties. Properties are the measurable traits that help identify the differences between any two objects. Properties can be either physical, chemical, or thermal.

Physical Properties of Matter

• Physical properties are observable, easily measurable, and don’t depend on an object’s chemical nature. For instance, when you tear a piece of paper, its chemical composition remains unaltered.

• Some examples of physical properties of matter are shape, colour, length, temperature, density, hardness, electrical conductivity, etc.

Chemical Properties of Matter

• Chemical properties involve alteration in the composition or molecular structure of a substance. These properties include explosiveness, flammability, toxicity, acidity, etc.

• Acidity is the chemical property of substances by which they react with various acids. A few types of matter (metals) form new compounds by reacting with acids.

• Flammability is a chemical property of a substance that indicates its proneness to burn. Examples of such types of matter are paper, wood, etc.

• In general, alterations in the chemical properties of matter are irreversible. For instance, when you burn wood, it changes into ashes which can’t turn back into the wood. Thus, the chemical change that converted wood into ashes is irreversible.

Thermal Properties of Matter

The way a matter reacts to heat exposure depends on its thermal properties. The four significant components of thermal characteristics of matter are –

• Thermal conductivity: Thermal conductivity is the ability of a matter to pass heat through them. Examples of matter with good thermal conductivity are aluminium, copper, etc.
• Thermal stress: The expansion of matter due to exposure to heat creates certain stress, often known as thermal stress.
• Heat capacity: It is the quantity of heat needed to increase the temperature of matter by one degree.
• Thermal expansion: The expansion of matter due to exposure to heat is thermal expansion.

Classifications of Matter Based on Chemical Composition

The introduction of the matter is incomplete without its classifications. It can be classified into different types based on several parameters such as physical state, composition, etc. 

The matter is categorised into two types based on its composition.

Pure substances

• They are made of similar atoms or molecules in a defined ratio. Therefore, they have homogeneous chemical composition.
• Pure substances have a fixed structure.
• They have fixed melting and boiling points.

Pure substances can be further classified into two types:

Elements

• Elements are pure substances that contain a single type of atom or molecule.
• They can’t be broken down further by any physical or chemical means.
• Examples of elements are silver (Ag), gold (Au), sulphur (S), hydrogen (H), etc.

Compounds

• A compound forms when more than one element combines chemically in a fixed ratio.
• Pure compounds can be chemically disintegrated or transformed into new substances.
• Examples of these substances are salt (NaCl), carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), etc.

Impure substances

• They are made of different types of atoms or molecules.
• Their structure isn’t fixed or constant.
• You can use separation techniques to segregate their components.

They can be further subdivided into two categories based on their compositions:

Homogeneous mixture

• Homogeneous mixtures have the same composition throughout the volume.
• You can’t see the individual particles in a homogeneous mixture with naked eyes.
• The amount of substances present in every sample of a homogeneous mixture is always the same.
• Examples of homogeneous mixtures are oil, wine, saline water, etc.

Heterogeneous mixture

• They have varied compositions throughout their volume.
• Homogeneous mixtures don’t blend perfectly. Therefore, you can determine what substances these mixtures are composed of.
• Examples of heterogeneous mixtures include mud water, concrete, chocolate chip cookie, etc.

Classification of Matter Based on Physical State

Solid

• Solid particles are closely packed with strong atomic bonds between them.
• ​​They have a fixed shape and volume.
• Solids can undergo vibration.
• Solids are the most inflexible of all other forms of matter.
• Examples are rocks, ice, wood, etc.

Liquid

• Liquid particles have more space among them than solid particles.
• These particles are capable of free movement.
• A liquid doesn’t have a definite shape, but it has a fixed volume.
• Liquids can alter their shape and take the volume of the container in which they are kept. Examples are water, oil, etc.

Gaseous

• They have no fixed shape or volume.
• They are highly compressible.
• The diffusion rate is higher than that of solids and liquids.
• The gas molecules are capable of free movement and can move around at random. 
• Examples: carbon dioxide, air, etc.

Conclusion

Since matter is defined as anything having mass and occupying space, the introduction of matter is essential in various elements and compounds in physical and chemical studies. All matter comprises both physical and chemical characteristics and follows the law of conservation of mass. They can undergo physical and chemical changes, like ice melting to form liquid water. Similarly, the electric current passing through water breaks it into hydrogen and oxygen elements. There are a total of 92 naturally occurring elements.