Basic Concepts About Matter

BASIC CONCEPTS ABOUT MATTER

Matter –  anything that has mass and occupies space.

PHYSICAL STATES OF MATTER

1.   Solid - has a definite shape and definite volume. It is rigid. The particles are packed tightly together in a fixed position.

2.   Liquid – has an indefinite shape and definite volume. It always takes the shape of its container. The particles are close       

              together but can slide past one another.

3.   Gas – has an indefinite shape and indefinite volume. It always completely fills its container adopting both of its

             volume and its shape.

4.   Plasma – a gas-like phase of matter that consists of charged particles.

5.   Bose-Einstein Condensate – the fifth sate of matter beyond solid. Particles are more ordered than solids.

PROPERTIES OF MATTER

I.     Physical Properties

-          Characteristics of substances that can be observed without altering the  identity of the substances.

1.   Qualitative Properties

-          Descriptive properties of a substance which cannot be given a mathematical value.

a.   Extrinsic properties – outside appearance of an object (color, shape)

b.   Intrinsic properties – properties that are innate on the object (taste, conductivity, malleability)

2.   Quantitative Properties

-          Properties which can be measured and given a specific mathematical value.

a.   Intensive properties – these are properties that does not change regardless of the amount of the substance. (I.e. melting point, boiling point, freezing point, density)

b.   Extensive properties – these are properties that change as the amount of substance changes. (i.e. mass, length, area, volume)

II.      Chemical Properties

-       Characteristics of a substances that describe the way the substance undergo or resist change to form a new substance.(I.e. flammability, combustibility, ability to corrode)

CHANGES IN MATTER

a.   Physical Change – a process that does not alter the basic nature( chemical composition) of the substance undergoing change.

Examples:

1.      Melting – solid turns into liquid.

2.      Freezing – also called as solidification, liquid turns into liquid. Water starts to freeze at 0ºC.

3.      Evaporation – a liquid turns into gas when it reaches its boiling point. Water’s boiling point is 100 ºC.

4.      Condensation – gas turns into liquid.

5.      Deposition – gas turns into solid.

6.      Sublimation – solid turns into gas.

b.   Chemical Changes – a process that involves a change in the basic nature (chemical composition) of the substance. When a chemical change happens, chemical reaction also happens wherein a new substance is produced or formed as a result of chemical change.

Pure Substances

-          A single kind of matter that cannot be separated into other kinds of matter using physical means.

-          Only one substance is present.

-          Has a definite and constant composition

-          Properties are always the same under a given set of conditions.

Types of Elements

Metal          – found on the left side and at the center of the periodic table.

     -An element that has the characteristic properties of luster, thermal conductivity, electrical  conductivity and malleability.  All metals are solid at room temperature (except for Mercury). They have high density and high melting points.

Nonmetals – element characterized by the absence of the properties of luster, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and malleability.

-    They are found on the right side of the periodic table.

-    Nonmetals such as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and noble gases are gases at room temperature( the only nonmetal that is liquid at room temperature is bromine).

-    In general, nonmetals have lower densities and melting points than metals.

-     

Metalloids – also known as semimetals. Elements with properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals.

-    Semiconductors include boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium and polonium.

-    Some metalloids such as silicon, germanium and antimony are semiconductors.

-    They are found along a zigzag line between the metals and the nonmetals.

-    

H

Metals

H

B

Metalloids

He

Li

Be

He

Nonmetals

B

C

N

O

F

Ne

Na

Mg

Al

Si

P

S

Cl

Ar

K

Ca

Sc

Ti

V

Cr

Mn

Fe

Co

Ni

Cu

Zn

Ga

Ge

As

Se

Br

Kr

Rb

Sr

Y

Zr

Nb

Mo

Tc

Ru

Rh

Pd

Ag

Cd

In

Sn

Sb

Te

I

Xe

Cs

Ba

Hf

Ta

W

Re

Os

Ir

Pt

Au

Hg

Tl

Pb

Bi

Po

At

Rn

Fr

Ra

Rf

Db

Sg

Bh

Hs

Mt

Ds

Rg

Cn

Uut

Fl

Uup

Lv

Uus

Uuo

Types of Compounds

Acids – compounds that contain hydrogen which when dissolved in water, breaks loose as a hydrogen ion.

-          They have sour taste such as the taste of citrus fruits.

-          Acids are corrosive.

-          Acids turn blue litmus paper into red.

-          Acids are electrolytes: they can conduct electricity.

Some Common Acids

Acid	Formula	Found in
Acetic Acid	CH3COOH	Vinegar
Carbonic Acid	H2CO3	Soft Drinks
Ascorbic Acid	C5H9O5COOH	Citrus Fruits
Formic Acid	HCOOH	Red Ants
Lactic Acid	CH3CHOHCOOH	Sour Milk
Nitric Acid	HNO3	Cleaning Solutions
Hydrochloric Acid	HCl	Muriatic Acid

Base – also called alkaline substances.

-          Bases have bitter tastes

-          Most bases are slippery on the skin.

-          It changes red litmus paper into blue.

-           

Some Common Acids

-             

Base	Formula	Found in
Sodium Hydroxide	NaOH	Lye
Calcium Hydroxide	Ca(OH)2	Limewater
Magnesium Hydroxide	Mg(OH)2	Milk of Magnesia

Salts – the compound produced when an acid and a base react

-          Combination of a metallic element and a nonmetallic element coming from the acid and base.

-          Some Common Salts and their Uses

-             

Common Name	Formula	Uses
Alum	KAl(SO4)3	Canning, baking powder
Bleaching Powder	Ca(ClO)2	Bleaching deodorizer
Chalk	CaCO3	Antacid Tablet
Epsom Salt	MgSO4 + 7H2O	Laxative
Gypsum	CaSO4 – 2H2O	Plaster of Paris
Niter	KNO3	Meat Preservative
Potash	K2CO3	Production of soap and glass

Mixture

-          Physical combination of two or more substances

-          Variable composition

-          Properties vary as composition varies

-          Components can be separated using physical means.