Properties of Matter

Front

Matter Noun

---

[mat-er]

Back

Matter

---

Anything that has mass and takes up space, composing all physical objects in the known universe.

---

Example: This diagram shows how matter is made of particles. The arrangement and movement of these particles determine its state: solid, liquid, or gas.

Front

Substance Noun

---

[suhb-stuhns]

Back

Substance

---

A form of matter, also known as a pure substance, that has a uniform and unchanging chemical composition.

---

Example: This image shows bars of pure gold. Gold is a substance because it's made of only one type of material (gold atoms) and has consistent properties.

Front

Solid Noun

---

[sol-id]

Back

Solid

---

A state of matter characterized by a definite shape and volume due to its tightly packed particles.

---

Example: This diagram shows that in a solid, particles (in this case, ions in a salt crystal) are tightly packed in a fixed, organized pattern.

Front

Liquid Noun

---

[lik-wid]

Back

Liquid

---

A state of matter that flows, has a constant volume, and takes the shape of its container.

---

Example: This diagram shows that in a liquid, particles are close together but are not in fixed positions and can move past one another.

Front

Gas Noun

---

[gas]

Back

Gas

---

A state of matter that flows to conform to the shape and fill the entire volume of its container.

---

Example: This image shows that different gases have different properties. A balloon with helium gas floats because it is less dense than air, while a balloon with oxygen gas sinks.

Front

Vapor Noun

---

[vey-per]

Back

Vapor

---

The gaseous state of a substance that is typically a solid or liquid at normal room temperature.

---

Example: This diagram shows that in the gas state (vapor), particles are far apart and move freely, unlike in the more ordered liquid or solid states.

Front

Plasma Noun

---

[plaz-muh]

Back

Plasma

---

An ionized state of matter where gas particles are broken apart into smaller, electrically charged particles.

---

Example: This diagram shows that when enough energy (heat) is added to a gas, its atoms break apart into charged particles, forming plasma, the fourth state of matter.

Front

Incompressible Adjective

---

[in-kuhm-pres-uh-buhl]

Back

Incompressible

---

The property of a substance describing its resistance to being compressed or pressed into a smaller volume.

---

Example: This diagram shows that unlike air (A), water (B) cannot be easily squeezed into a smaller space, demonstrating it is an incompressible liquid.

Front

Physical Property Noun

---

[fiz-i-kuhl prop-er-tee]

Back

Physical Property

---

A characteristic of matter that can be observed or measured without altering the substance's chemical composition.

---

Example: This diagram shows that water can exist as a solid (ice), liquid (water), or gas (vapor). Its state of matter is a physical property.

Front

Extensive Property Noun

---

[ik-sten-siv prop-er-tee]

Back

Extensive Property

---

A physical property, such as mass or volume, that is dependent on the amount of substance present.

---

Example: This image shows that extensive properties, like volume, mass, and length, are characteristics of matter that depend on the amount of substance present.