🌍

Matter and Its States

Jul 24, 2025

Overview

This lecture introduces types of matter, their physical states, types of changes, and classification into pure substances and mixtures.

Phases of Matter

  • Matter is anything with mass that occupies space.
  • There are three phases of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
  • Solids have fixed shape and volume; their particles are touching and do not move.
  • Liquids have fixed volume but not shape; particles are touching and move fluidly.
  • Gases have neither fixed volume nor shape; particles are far apart and move freely.

Physical and Chemical Changes

  • A physical change does not alter the chemical composition of a substance.
  • Phase changes (like melting ice) are always physical changes.
  • A chemical change involves breaking and forming of chemical bonds to create new substances.
  • Combining hydrogen and oxygen gases to form water is an example of a chemical change.

Classification of Matter

  • A pure substance cannot be separated into other materials by physical means.
  • Water is a compound because it consists of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen.
  • An element cannot be broken down by physical or chemical means.
  • Mixtures consist of two or more pure substances and can be separated by physical processes.
  • Mixtures can be homogeneous (uniform throughout, e.g., sugar in water) or heterogeneous (non-uniform, e.g., oil and water).

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Solid — Phase with fixed shape and volume; particles are tightly packed and immobile.
  • Liquid — Phase with fixed volume but variable shape; particles are mobile but touching.
  • Gas — Phase with no fixed shape or volume; particles are far apart and move freely.
  • Physical Change — Change in state or appearance without altering chemical composition.
  • Chemical Change — Change that forms new substances via breaking/forming chemical bonds.
  • Pure Substance — Material that can't be separated by physical means (element or compound).
  • Element — Pure substance made of one type of atom; cannot be chemically broken down.
  • Compound — Pure substance made of two or more types of atoms chemically bonded.
  • Mixture — Physical combination of two or more pure substances; can be separated physically.
  • Homogeneous Mixture — Mixture with uniform composition throughout.
  • Heterogeneous Mixture — Mixture with non-uniform composition.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review definitions of physical and chemical changes.
  • Practice classifying examples of matter as pure substances, compounds, or mixtures.