States of matter

 States of matter

How many states of matter are there?

There are four states of matter commonly found in the universe and on Earth. However, there are many more states of matter that are either man-made or very rarely found either on Earth or in the universe.

Are there 5 states of matter?

Yes, there are five (and more) states of matter. However, only four are commonly found on Earth and in the universe. The most common states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Many other states of matter exist (like degenerate matter, amorphous solids, and supercritical fluids), but they are rarely found in nature.

What are the three states of matter, and what are some examples of each state?

The three main states of matter commonly found naturally on Earth are:

solid - bricks, ice, wood, paper

liquid - milk, water, honey

gas - helium, hydrogen, oxygen, air

The best way to start a discussion on the states of matter is to answer the question, 'What is matter?' Matter is the material that makes up all things in the universe. In its smallest form it is unseeable, but as it combines it grows into atoms that become molecules that become everything in existence.

There are 4 states of matter, meaning matter can exist (or present) in four different ways in the universe. Matter can exist in the following forms:

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Plasma

Solids, liquids, and gases are found in abundance in nature on Earth. The characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases change over three common variables: volume, shape, and energy level of the matter.

Solid State of Matter & Solid Matter Examples

Matter has the least amount of inert energy when in a solid state of matter form. This is because when in solid form, the atoms that make up the object are very tightly packed together and exhibit very little, if any, movement (a molecular microscope can sometimes pick up very slight movement in the atomic level of a solid that is not apparent to the human eye). This tightly packed formation of the solid state of matter equates to high density for solids.

Solids have a definite shape and volume. Solid matter does not have mobile molecules, thus it must stay one shape and size until acted upon by an outside force. Due to this forced stillness in the molecules, a solid will always have a definite (measurable) volume and will maintain its own shape.

Imagine if bricks could change shape and volume at random. That would be disastrous. Which of the practice examples above has a constant shape and volume? Gold. Gold is an example of a metallic solid.

Liquid State of Matter & Liquid Matter Examples

While solids have little to no energy (movement), liquid states of matter have moderate energy, and atoms/molecules within a liquid do move. The word 'fluid' elicits the idea of movement and liquids are certainly fluid. Molecules in liquids are loosely packed together meaning they have moderate density.

In terms of volume, liquids do have a definitive volume, meaning it is possible to measure the volume of a liquid. However, they do not have a definite shape. Liquids take on the shape of whatever vessel they are in.

Physical & Chemical Properties

 Physical & Chemical Properties

Why is density not a chemical property?

Density is not a chemical property; it is a physical property. Density is the measure of the mass of a substance divided by its volume. It is a measurable property that does not change the identity of the substance when determining it.

What are examples of chemical properties?

Chemical properties are the properties of a specific type of matter that occur when the matter goes through chemical changes. Chemical properties/changes result in a change in the composition of the matter. Examples include corrosion and reactivity.

What are examples of physical properties?

Physical properties are characteristics of a certain type of matter that can be observed and/or measured. Physical properties do not affect the chemical composition of the matter. Examples of physical properties include color, mass, texture and density.

Matter is defined as anything that has mass and takes up space. All types of matter have certain properties that are unique to that matter. These properties can be divided into two separate categories: physical properties and chemical properties.

What are the Physical Properties of Matter?

The physical property definition is the properties of matter are generally things that describe the property with visual inspection or taking some kind of measurement. For example, three of the physical properties of matter are length, volume, and mass. There is no change to the chemical composition of a substance when examining its physical properties. Visual observation, a balance, a ruler, or another method of measurement, can be used to determine physical properties. None of the methods used will have any effect on the chemical composition of a substance.

Some additional physical properties examples are:

Color

Texture

Shape

Density

Matter will sometimes undergo physical changes. This happens when a particular type of matter changes state from solid to liquid, liquid to gas, gas to liquid, liquid to solid, or even solid to gas. These phase changes, known as melting, freezing, vaporization, condensation, and sublimation, have no effect on the chemical composition of the substance, therefore, they are not chemical changes. Phase changes, or changes of state, occur when energy is added to or taken from the substance.

For example, an ice cube left on a counter will absorb heat energy from its surroundings and eventually melt to become liquid water. In both the solid state and liquid state, it is still water. No chemical reaction occurred to change the identity of the substance. However, sometimes the physical properties change during a phase change. An ice cube may have a square shape, but when it melts to become a puddle of liquid water, it most definitely takes a different shape. Both shapes are still water.

The physical and chemical properties of matter depend solely on the type of matter in question. Matter can be living or non-living. It can be organic (containing carbon) or inorganic (no carbon present). Essentially, everything is matter; from the tiniest insect to the largest tree. Humans, animals, cars, houses, grass, and food are all types of matter in everyday life.///

Color as a Physical Property

Color is an observable characteristic of matter, therefore, color is a physical property, not a chemical property. Color is observed as the portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum that is reflected by the substance. If an apple is red, it is because the matter that makes up the apple absorbs all visible colors except red. That makes it appear red to the person observing it. The grass is green because the green wavelengths are reflected and not absorbed.

pH as a Chemical Property

pH is a chemical property that is determined by how many H+ ions are released from a type of matter when it is dissolved in water. Substances that release many free H+ ions are considered to be acidic. Substances that break down in water and produce OH- ions are considered to be bases.

pH is the measure of how many H+ ions are present in terms of concentration. The higher the concentration of H+, the more acidic the solution is. The lower the concentration of H+ and the higher the concentration of OH-, the more basic it is. This makes pH a chemical property because it depends on how a solid or liquid substance interacts with water when mixed together.

The pH scale runs from 0-14. Matter with a pH of 7, like pure water is considered to be neutral. Anything that has a pH of 0 up to 7 is acidic and anything above 7 and up to 14 is basic.

Stomach acid is a strong acid at a pH of about 2. Soaps and detergents are more basic with a pH around 8, depending on the product.