Matter in our Surroundings: Definition, Characteristics, Interconversion of States of Matter

When we look around us, we notice a wide range of objects with varying shapes, sizes, and textures. Everything in this universe is made of material that scientists call “matter.” Everything is a matter, including the air we breathe, the food we eat, stones, clouds, stars, plants and animals, and even a single drop of water or sand. As we look around, we can see that all of the things mentioned above occupy space and have mass. In this article, we will learn more about the matter in our surroundings.

Matter

Matter is defined as anything that has mass, occupies space, and can be perceived by our senses. Air, water, hydrogen, oxygen, sugar, sand, silver, steel, copper, coal, ironwood, ice, alcohol, milk, oil, kerosene, petrol, carbon, sulphur, rocks, and minerals all are types of matter because they all occupy space and have mass. Food, clothing, table chairs, human beings, animals, plants, and trees all are examples of matter.

Physical Nature of Matter

1. A physical property is a characteristic of matter that can be observed or measured without altering its nature or composition.
2. Appearance, colour, odour, density, texture, melting point, boiling point, solubility, and other physical properties are examples.
3. It is not affected by the amount of matter present.

Characteristics of Particles of Matter

The important characteristics of particles of matter are as follows:

• 1. The particles of matter are very, very small
• 2. The particles of matter have space between them
• 3. The particles of some matter are constantly moving
• 4. The particles of matter attract each other
• 5. Particles of Matter possess mass

States of Matter

On the basis of physical states, all the matter can be classified into three groups: Solids, Liquids and Gases. For example

(i) Sugar, sand, iron, wood, rocks, minerals and ice are solids.
(ii) Water, milk, oil, kerosene, petrol and alcohol are liquids.
(iii) Air, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and steam are gases.

Solids, liquids and gases are called the three states of matter. Let us now look more closely at the properties of these three states of matter.

Solid State of Matter

A solid is a substance that has a definite shape and volume. Particles in solids are densely packed. A strong force of attraction exists between the particles of a solid, holding them together in fixed positions. As a result, the positions of particles within a solid are fixed. Solid particles only vibrate about their fixed positions.

They are unable to move from one position to another. When a solid is heated, its particles begin to vibrate more rapidly. The spaces between a solid’s particles are extremely small. Solid particles have the least kinetic energy. As a result, solids have the most orderly particle arrangement.

Properties of Solid State of Matter: Some of the common solids around us are ice, wood, coal, stone, iron, brick, and so on. The characteristics of solids are as follows.

• (i) Solids have a fixed shape and a fixed volume.
• (ii) Solids cannot be compressed much.
• (iii) The densities of solids are very high. They are quite heavy.
• (iv) Solids do not flow.

Liquid State of Matter

A liquid is a substance that has a definite volume but no definite shape. The particles in liquids are held together by a moderately strong force of attraction. They do, however, move at significant speeds and thus have kinetic energy. The force of attraction tries to keep the particles together, while kinetic energy causes them to fly apart. Liquids have distinct properties due to comparable opposing forces.

Properties of Liquid State of Matter: Water, milk, fruit juice, Ink, groundnut oil, kerosene and petrol etc., are some of the common liquids. The liquids have the following characteristic properties:

• (i) Although liquids have a fixed volume, they do not have a fixed shape. Liquids take the shape of the vessel in which they are placed.
• (ii) Liquids, like solids, cannot be compressed very much.
• (iii) The densities of liquids range from moderate to high. They typically have a lower density than solids.
• (iv) In general, liquids flow easily.

Gaseous State of Matter

Gas is a substance that has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. Out of the three states of matter, the interparticle spaces are the maximum in the gaseous state. The interparticle forces which hold the different particles in the gaseous state together are the weakest. As a result, rigidity is the minimum while fluidity is the maximum. The important properties of this state of matter are listed.

Properties of Gaseous State of Matter: Air, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and steam, etc., are some of the common examples of gaseous matter.
The gases have the following characteristic properties:

• (i) Gases do not have a fixed shape or volume. Gases acquire the shape and volume of the vessel in which they are kept. 
• (ii) Gases are easily compressed (into a small volume).
• (iii) The densities of gases are extremely low. They are extremely light. A gas has a much lower density than a solid or a liquid of the same volume.
• (iv) Gases completely fill their container.
• (v) Gases move easily.

Change of State of Matter

Matter can exist in three physical states: solid, liquid, and gaseous (or vapour state). Water, for example, exists as a solid in the form of ice, a liquid in the form of water, and a gas in the form of steam (or water vapour). Water comes in the form of ice from thezer of a refrigerator, water from a faucet, and steam (or water vapour) from a kettle of boiling water.

There are two ways in which we can change the physical state of Matter:

• 1. By changing the temperature, and
• 2. By changing the pressure.

Temperature and pressure are the two factors that determine whether a given substance is solid, liquid, or gaseous. We will now go over the effect of temperature change and pressure change on the physical state of matter in detail, one by one.

Effect of Change of Temperature

A solid can be converted into a liquid by increasing the temperature, and a liquid can be converted into a gaseous state by again increasing the temperature. A gas can be converted into a liquid by lowering the temperature, and a liquid can be converted into a solid by decreasing the temperature. This can be explained below.

1. Change of Matter from solid to liquid: Melting

When we heat ice, it turns into water. In this case, solid ice melts into liquid water, resulting in a state change. Melting is the process by which a solid substance transforms into a liquid when heated (or fusion). So, when the ice melts when heated, it is referred to as melting of ice (or fusion of ice).

2. Change of Matter from Liquid to Gas: Boiling or Evaporation

The process in which a liquid substance changes into a gas rapidly on heating is called boiling. When water rapidly changes into steam when heated, this is referred to as boiling of water. The boiling of a liquid occurs at a constant temperature. The temperature at which a liquid boils and rapidly changes into a gas at atmospheric pressure is referred to as the boiling point of the liquid.

3. Change of Matter from Gas to Liquid: Condensation

Condensation is the process of cooling a gas (or vapour) to convert it to a liquid. Condensation of steam occurs when steam (or water vapour) cools and changes into water.

4. Change of Matter from Liquid to Solid:zing

The process of changing a liquid into a solid by cooling is calledzing. For example, when water is cooled, it becomes a solid known as ice’. This is referred to as waterzing. The term “freezing” refers to the process of solidification.

Latent Heat

Latent heat is of two types:

• 1. Latent heat of fusion: The latent heat of fusion (or melting) of a solid is the quantity of heat (measured in joules) required to convert \(1\) kilogram of the solid (at its melting point) to liquid, without any change in temperature.
• 2. Latent heat of vaporization: The latent heat of vaporization of a liquid is the quantity of heat (measured in joules) required to convert \(1\) kilogram of the liquid (at its boiling point) to vapour or gas, without any change in temperature.

Sublimation

The changing of a solid directly into vapours on heating is known as sublimation. The common substances which undergo sublimation are Ammonium chloride, camphor, Iodine, Naphthalene and Anthracene. Sublimation can be represented as

From the above points, we can say that changing the states of matter can be done by changing the temperature, such as by cooling or heating.

Effect of Change of Pressure

The physical state of matter can be altered by increasing or decreasing pressure. For example, by increasing the pressure, gases can be converted into liquids (accompanied by lowering of temperature). And some solids (like solid carbon dioxide) can change into gases on decreasing the pressure.

Evaporation

Evaporation is the process of a liquid changing into vapour (or gas) even below its boiling point. A liquid can evaporate even at room temperature, though it is faster at higher temperatures. Regardless of the temperature at which Evaporation occurs, the latent heat of vaporization must be supplied whenever a liquid transforms into a vapour (or gas).

Factors Affecting Evaporation

The Evaporation of a liquid depends mainly on the following factors:
1. Temperature: The rate of evaporation increases by increasing the temperature of the liquid.
2. The surface area of the Liquid: The rate of evaporation increases by increasing the surface area of the liquid.
3. Humidity of Air: The rate of Evaporation decreases with an increase in the humidity of the air.
4. Wind speed: The rate of evaporation of a liquid increase with increasing wind speed.

Important Questions On Matter in our Surroundings

Q.1. What do you understand by the term matter?
Ans: Matter is defined as anything that has mass, occupies space, and can be perceived by our senses.

Q.2. What is dry ice?
Ans: Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide.

Q.3. Why do solids exhibit a definite shape?
Ans: The intermolecular forces between the particles of a solid are extremely strong, allowing them to stay in fixed positions and give the solid its structure.

Summary

Matter is defined as anything that has mass, occupies space, and can be perceived by our senses. On the basis of physical states, all the matter can be classified into three groups: Solids, Liquids and Gases. Sugar, chalk, salt are examples of solids; milk, juice and water are examples of liquid and oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide are examples of gases.

FAQs

Q.1. Explain the classification of matter.
Ans: Matter can be classified into pure substances and mixtures. Pure substances can be classified into elements and compounds. Mixtures can be classified into homogeneous mixture and heterogeneous mixture.

Q.2. What are the characteristics of the particles of matter?
Ans: The important characteristics of particles of matter are as follows:
(i) The particles of matter are very, very small
(ii) The particles of matter have space between them
(iii) The particles of some matter are constantly moving
(iv) The particles of matter attract each other
(v) Particles of Matter possess mass

Q.3. Explain the different characteristics of the state of matter.
Ans: The important characteristics of particles of matter are as follows:
(i) The particles of matter are very, very small
(ii) The particles of matter have space between them
(iii) The particles of some matter are constantly moving
(iv) The particles of matter attract each other
(v) Particles of Matter possess mass

Q.4. What is diffusion in states of matter?
Ans: Diffusion is a property of matter that is based on the motion of its particles. Through diffusion, particles of different matters intermixed into each other.

Q.5. In which states of matter does diffusion occur?
Ans: Diffusion occurs in all states of matter, from solid to liquid to gas.

Q.6. What is diffusion? Give an example?
Ans: Diffusion is the movement of a substance from a high concentration area to a low concentration area. The smell of perfume spreading throughout a room is an example of diffusion.

Study Physical Nature of Matter

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