Any entity with mass and the ability to occupy space is considered the matter. These particles are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. There are various characteristics of particles of matter that we will address further down.

Matters exist in seven states: solids, liquids, gases, ionized, plasma, quark-gluon plasma, Bose-Einstein condensate, and fermionic condensate. The matter is made up of tiny particles, and we know that it may change shape. Let us understand the different characteristics of matter around us with examples.

What is Characteristics of Particles of Matter?

We are all aware that everything in our environment is Matter. As a result, these particles have some qualities and can influence the state of their properties. These properties of the substance can be both physical and chemical. We’ll look at four characteristics of Matter in this article.

Study Classification of Matter

Characteristics of Particles of Matter

The following are some of the most important characteristics of particles of Matter (such as atoms or molecules):

1. The particles of Matter are very, very small
2. The particles of Matter have spaces between them
3. The particles of Matter are constantly moving
4. The particles of Matter attract each other

The Particles of Matter Are Very, Very Small

Matter is made up of highly small-sized particles. We shall prove this from the following experiment.

The smallness of the particles of Matter – getting an idea

1. Dissolve one crystal of potassium permanganate in \(10\;{\rm{mL}}\) of water taken in a \(500\;{\rm{mL}}\) beaker.
2. Now fill \(80\;{\rm{mL}}\) of water in each of four \(100\;{\rm{mL}}\) measuring cylinders \(({\rm{A}},\,{\rm{B}},\,{\rm{C}},\,{\rm{D}})\).
3. Transfer the potassium permanganate solution to the measuring cylinder \({\rm{A}}\) with the help of a pipette.
4. Stir the solution with a glass rod so that the contents mix thoroughly.
5. Transfer \(10\;{\rm{mL}}\) of this solution to the measuring cylinder \({\rm{B}}\). Stir this solution thoroughly.
6. Transfer \(10\;{\rm{mL}}\) of this solution to the measuring cylinder \({\rm{C}}\), stir this solution thoroughly.
7. Transfer \(10\;{\rm{mL}}\) of this solution to the measuring cylinder \({\rm{D}}\). Stir this solution thoroughly.
8. Compare the colours of solutions in all the measuring cylinders.

We observe that the solution remains coloured even at very high dilution (measuring cylinder \({\rm{D}}\)), although the intensity of the colour of the solutions decreases with dilution.

Do the same activity using \(2\;{\rm{mL}}\) of Dettol instead of potassium permanganate. The smell of Dettol is detected even after repeated dilution.

We conclude the following from the above experiment:

1. A crystal of potassium permanganate contains many tiny particles, which keep on dividing into smaller and smaller numbers with each dilution. As a result, the colour becomes lighter after each dilution.

2. Even at very high dilution, the particles exhibit the properties of potassium permanganate.

If we dilute the solution in this manner, a stage will be reached ultimately when the particles cannot be divided further.

The smallest particle of a matter capable of independent existence and which exhibits the properties of Matter is called the molecule of that Matter. The diameter of the molecules of Matter, in general, is of the order of \({10^{ – 9}}\;{\rm{m}}\). Now you know how small the particles of Matter are.

The Particles of Matter have Spaces Between Them

The spaces between the particles of Matter can be demonstrated using water and sugar in the following experiment. In a beaker, we put roughly \(100\;{\rm{mL}}\) of water (Water is a kind of Matter). With a marking pen, mark the water level in the beaker [as indicated in Figure]. Take \({\rm{50\, g}}\) of sugar as well. In the beaker, mix \({\rm{50\, g}}\) of sugar with \({\rm{50\, g}}\) of water. Stir the sugar with a glass rod to dissolve it. We have a sugar solution when all of the sugar has dissolved. Let’s take a look at the sugar solution level in the beaker.

The sugar solution in the beaker will be at the same level as the water level in the beaker at the start [see Figure \(\left( {\rm{C}} \right)\)]. This signifies that the volume has not increased after dissolving \({\rm{50\, g}}\) of sugar in \(100\;{\rm{mL}}\) of water. This can be explained by assuming that there are some spaces between the water particles.

Sugar crystals separate into incredibly small particles when dissolved in water. These sugar particles occupy the spaces between the various water particles, resulting in no change in the volume of water when sugar is dissolved in it. The lack of volume change when sugar is dissolved in water indicates that there are spaces between the water particles. And these spaces accommodate the sugar particles. This also concludes that the particles (or molecules) in water are not tightly packed; they are somewhat loose, having spaces between them.

The Particles of Matter are Constantly Moving

Put an unlit incense stick in the corner of the class. Please find out how close you have to go near the incense stick to get its smell. Record your observation. Now light the incense stick with the help of a matchstick. What happens to the smell? Do you get the smell at a distance from the incense stick? Record your observation.

The particles of Matter are continuously moving and possess some kinetic energy. When the temperature is increased, the kinetic energy of the particles increases and the particles move faster. In the case of the unlit incense stick, the temperature is low, and the kinetic energy incense particles. Under this condition, the particles of incense do not mix with air particles. Due to this, we have to go very near the incense stick to get the smell of its particles. When the incense stick is lit, the temperature increases, leading to the increased kinetic energy of the incense particles.

As a result, the particles of incense move very rapidly and intermix with air particles very rapidly. That is why, we get the smell of incense particles even when we are at a distance from the unlit incense stick.

It is concluded that the particles of Matter are moving continuously, and the particles of Matter intermix on their own with each other. When temperature increases, the kinetic energy of particles of matter increases and hence, they move even faster.

The Particles of Matter Attract Each Other

Between the particles of Matter, some forces of attraction bind them together. Cohesion is the force of attraction between particles of the same substance. The attraction force (or cohesion) differs between particles of different types of Matter. The following examples will help to clarify this.

If we take a piece of chalk, a cube of ice, and an iron nail and beat them together with a hammer, we will find that breaking the chalk into smaller particles is relatively easy. A cube of ice takes more force to break, whereas an iron nail does not break at all, even with a lot of force. This demonstrates that the force of attraction between chalk particles is very weak. In contrast, the the force of attraction between ice particles is slightly stronger, and the force of attraction between iron nail particles is quite strong.

Let us take another example. We can move our hands through the air very quickly because the force of attraction between the particles of air (a gas) is very, very small. It is not very important. We can also move our hands through water in a bucket fairly easily because the force of attraction between the water particles (which is a liquid) is also small.

But we cannot move our hands through a plank of wood because the force of attraction between the particles of wood (which is solid) is very strong. And if we try breaking a plank of wood with a blow of our hand, our hand will get hurt. A karate expert needs to move his hand through a plank of wood and break it into two. In general, the force of attraction is maximum in solid Matter particles and minimum in gaseous Matter particles.

Summary

Matter is defined as something that occupies space and has mass. Matter is made up of extremely small-sized particles. The particles that constitute a certain matter are so small that we cannot see them individually with the naked eye. What we see is an aggregate of tiny particles. This article learned about different characteristics of Matter and examples.

FAQs

Q.1. What are the characteristics of Matter?
Ans: The characteristics of Matter are
a. The particles of Matter are very, very small
b. The particles of Matter have spaces between them
c. The particles of Matter are constantly moving
d. The particles of Matter attract each other

Q.2. What are the ten properties of Matter?
Ans: Property of Matter refers to any characteristic that can be measured, such as an object’s density, colour, mass, volume, length, malleability, melting point, hardness, odour, temperature, and so on.

Q.3. What is the structure and properties of Matter?
Ans: Matter is made up of atoms that combine into molecules and crystals. The bonding between atoms that builds molecules and crystals arises from the electrical forces between the electrons and nuclei and the sharing of electrons between different atoms.

Scientists need to understand the properties of Matter because everything is made up of it. Each type of Matter has its own set of physical characteristics, which scientists must be aware of to make calculations. Solid, liquid, and gas are the three main phases of Matter.

Q.4. How many physical properties of Matter are there?
Ans: The classification based on appearance is known as physical properties. Physical properties include appearance, texture, colour, odour, melting point, boiling point, density, solubility, polarity, etc.

Q.5. What are the properties of Matter?
Ans:
a. A substance that has weight and occupies space is referred to be Matter.
b. Magnetism, density, and solubility are all properties that can be used to identify Matter.
c. Understanding the qualities of Matter can assist you in selecting the best material for the job.

Q.6. Why cannot you smell its perfume at a short distance when the incense stick is not lighted?
Ans: The particles of the perfume do not have sufficient energy to drift through the air. Thus, we cannot smell it a few steps away from the incense stick.

Study Fundamental Particles Here