Matter and its Properties - SS1 Chemistry Past Questions and Answers - page 1

Matter is a term used in science to describe anything that occupies space and has mass. It encompasses all the physical substances around us, including both living and non-living things. Matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms, which are the building blocks of all matter. These atoms combine to form molecules, which can further assemble to create larger structures.

 

There are several fundamental characteristics of matter. Firstly, matter has mass, which refers to the amount of matter an object contains. Mass is typically measured in units such as grams or kilograms. Secondly, matter occupies space. It means that matter takes up a certain volume or amount of physical space. This characteristic is why we can see and interact with different objects in the world.

 

Another essential characteristic of matter is that it has inertia. Inertia is the resistance of matter to changes in its state of motion. For instance, if an object is at rest, it tends to remain at rest, and if it is in motion, it tends to keep moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

 

Matter can exist in different states: solid, liquid, and gas. Solids have a definite shape and volume, and their particles are closely packed together. Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container since their particles are loosely arranged and can move around. Gases have neither a definite shape nor volume, as their particles are highly energetic and can move freely.