What is matter in chemistry

Core Concept

In this tutorial, you will learn about matter, its properties, an introduction about its history, the difference between matter and mass.

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Defining Matter

In science there are many different definitions of matter.

Usually in chemistry, it is anything that has mass and takes up space. You need at least one subatomic particle to call something matter. So the substance must contain something smaller than an atom, E.g. a proton, neutron, or electron.

Matter exists in three states: solid, liquid, and gas.

What is matter short answer

The energy of the particles and the conditions of the surroundings the particles are in (temperature, pressure, etc.) determine what state matter is in. During matter’s phase transition, it changes from one state to another.

For instance, ice converts to water as energy is added, and that energy is heat. If you continuously add heat energy the water begins to boil and change into steam. Add even more energy and that and the steam breaks down into component atoms.

*Don’t confuse mass with weight, mass

what is matter about

what is matter identified by