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Matter

Meaning of Matter in Science

Matter in chemistry or chemical science means everything in our universe that has mass, occupies space and can be felt by our one more sense organs. According to the physical state, matter can be classified into solid, liquid, gases, and plasma. Every matter is made up of particles (atoms and molecules).

When we study the particles of matter in science, we find that:

  • It is made up of certain particles that differ in shape, size, and chemical nature. They have also space between them.
  • The particles (atoms or molecules) that constitute a certain substance are small in size and we cannot see them with backed eye.
  • Particles of matter are in a state of continuous movement. It suggests that they contain some amount of kinetic energy.
  • The particles of a material tend to diffuse or intermix on their own with each other.
  • A force of attraction is present between the particles. It is called an intermolecular attraction force.

State of Matter

The air we breathe, the food we, eat, stones, clouds, stars, plants and animals, even a drop of water or a particle of sand are in the class of matter. Therefore, matter that we see in our surroundings is classified into three different states solid, liquid, and gas.

Solid State

A solid is a substance that has a definite shape, distinct boundaries, and fixed volume or size. The most common examples of substances that exist in the solid state are sugar, sand, rocks, stones, and metals like iron, copper, aluminum, gold, silver, etc.

Liquid State

A liquid is a substance that has a fixed volume but does not have a definite shape. Therefore, liquids can take up the shape of the container in which they kept. The most common examples of substances that exist in the solid state are water, milk, juice, kerosene, petrol, alcohol, benzene, etc.

Gaseous State

A gas is a substance that has high compressibility. Therefore, gases have neither definite shape nor definite volume. The most common examples of substances that exist in the gaseous state are a mixture of gases. Other examples of gases are oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, dioxide, hydrogen, ammonia, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, etc.

In this part of online learning chemistry, we study the physical and chemical properties of matter through various individual articles or topics given below:

Osmosis and osmotic pressure definition, process and examples of the movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane

Osmosis

What is Osmosis? Osmosis is a natural process of movement or diffusion of solvent or water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a lower solute...
Reverse osmosis (RO) system diagram in water purification process by a semi-permeable membrane with definition, uses and differences with osmosis

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis System Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification system or process that uses to separate ions, unwanted molecules, and larger particles from drinking...
Types of emulsion in chemistry like oil in water and water in oil

Emulsion

What is Emulsion? Emulsion in chemistry is formed when a liquid is dispersed in another liquid that is not miscible to each other. Milk is...
Colloid system and solution in chemistry with properties and preparation

Colloid

Colloid Solution Colloid solution is a two-phase heterogeneous system in which one phase is dispersed in a fine state ranging from 1 nanometer (nm) to...
Viscosity is resistance to flowing of fluids like glycerol, ester, oils, water, alcohol, the property define flow of some liquid or gas is slower than other

Viscosity of liquids

Viscosity of liquids in chemistry? Viscosity of liquids in chemistry is the resistance to flow exhibited by fluids (liquids or gases) like glycerol, ester, oils,...
Density calculation and measurement formula for solid, liquid and gases

Density

Density Calculation Formula Density calculation formula for solids, liquids, and gas molecules is the measurement of mass per unit volume at a given temperature and...
Electric polarization definition and example of polar molecules in chemistry

Electric Polarization

What is electric polarization? Electric polarization occurs when a non-polar molecule is placed between two parallel plates with an applied electric field. The electric field...
Surface tension or surface energy, property of liquids or water acting if stretched unit area of liquid by elastic membrane

Surface Tension

Surface tension of liquid Surface tension or surface energy is the most important characteristic property of liquids origin at the surfaces and displayed when a...
Dipole moment definition, examples, unit in chemistry, application to calculate μ for water and methane molecules

Dipole Moment

What is Dipole Moment in Chemistry? Dipole moment formula in chemistry used to find out or calculate the net bond moment and polar character or...
Bond moment and polarity of substituted derivative of o, p, m-isomers of benzene molecules

Dipole Moment Molecules

Dipole Moment of Benzene Molecule Dipole moment of benzene molecule is zero suggesting that the benzene ring has a regular hexagonal planner aromatic structure with...