Matter

What is Matter

Matter is anything that has mass (weight) and occupies space. Matter is made up of small particles called atoms.

States of Matter

• Solid state
• Liquid state
• Gaseous (Gas) state

For example, stone is a solid, petrol and water are liquids, and air is a gas. Matter can neither be created nor destroyed but can only be changed from one state to another.

This change can only be achieved through heating.

Solid:

A solid has a definite mass, volume, and shape as its particles are well arranged and usually packed.

Liquid:

A liquid has a definite mass and volume, but no definite shape; it takes the shape of the container (vessel) in which it is placed.

Gas:

A gas has a definite mass but no definite volume or shape; it fills the entire container (vessel).