Matter Study Guide

SOL 3.3

 

Vocabulary Meaning
matter makes up everything around you:  it takes up space and has mass
solid a state of matter; has its own shape; is hard; is visible
liquid a state of matter;   changeable shape; is visible; can be poured
gas a state of matter;  changeable shape; is invisible
atoms tiny particles that make up matter
particles a tiny part or piece; another word for atoms
visible can be seen
invisible cannot be seen
atoms tiny particles that make up all matter
property a characteristic of matter for example - a solid is hard
mass how much of matter we have; the greater the mass the more you have
changeable able to become different
melting to change state by applying heat

Important Facts to Know

1. Anything that takes up space and has mass is matter.  Matter is everywhere around us.
2.  Matter has three states - solid, liquid, and gas.  Each state has different properties or characteristics that make it that state.
3.  Solids' properties are they are hard, they are visible, they do not conform to their container they are in, they take up space, and they have weight.
4.  Liquids' properties are they are poured, they are visible, they conform to the container they are in, they take up space, and they have weight.
5.  Gases' properties are they are invisible, they conform to the container they are in , they take up space and they have weight.
6.  All matter is made up of atoms, but the atoms in each state of matter are different.  Solids are made of tightly packed atoms with strong bonds.  Liquids are made of loosely packed atoms with weak bonds.  Gases are made of few atoms with no bonds.
7.  Matter can go through physical and chemical changes.  In a physical change the matter changes in its shape or size but stays the same type of matter.  For example, we can change a piece or paper y tearing it in half.  This does not change the state of matter, just the shape.  This is a physical change.  Also, dissolving salt or sugar in water can actually be a physical change because when the water evaporates, the sugar cryatals will remain in the glass.  This, too, is a physical change.
8.  Matter can go through chemical changes which will many times change the state of mater.
9.  Applying temperature changes of heat or cold will many times change the state of matter.  For example, burning a candle will change it from a solid to a liquid to a gas.