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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » What is Matter?

    What is Matter?

    Modified: Jul 18, 2022 · Published: Mar 23, 2022 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. Everything around us is made of matter. You may have heard the phrase states of matter. Matter can take different forms depending on the conditions. Here on Earth matter is generally in the form of a solid, liquid or a gas.

    Matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms!

    How many states of matter are there?

    There are actually 5 states of matter.

    The three main states of matter are, solid, liquid and gas. These are the three that occur most commonly on Earth. Water is the only substance that exists in all three states at natural temperatures!

    What are the 5 states of matter?

    Solid

    Molecules tightly packed together and don’t move around much.

    Particles in a solid have strong bonds between each other.

    Solids have a fixed volume and shape.

    The molecules in a solid can vibrate but the structure doesn’t not change.

    Solids cannot be compressed.

    Examples of solids are: metals, wood

    Liquid

    Molecules more spread out and can move around and bump into each other.

    Bonds between particles are weak.

    Liquids have a fixed volume but can change shape. They take the shape of the container they are in.

    Liquids can be slightly compressed.

    Examples of liquids: water and oil

    Gas

    Molecules are far apart can move around freely and quickly.

    Bonds between particles are very week.

    The shape and volume of a gas are not fixed.

    Gases can be compressed.

    Examples of gases: oxygen, carbon dioxide, steam ( water vapour )

    Plasma ( not the stuff that’s in your blood )

    Plasma is made when gases are heated to such high temperatures that electrons are ripped away from the atoms to form an ionised gas!

    Almost all the visible universe is made of plasma.

    We use plasma for fluorescent lights and plasma TVs but it also has lots of exciting medical uses.

    Bose-Einstein Condensate

    Bose-Einstein Condensate is a state of matter which forms when particles ( bosons ) are cooled to almost absolute zero.

    The diagram below shows how solids, liquids and gases change state depending on temperature.

    diagram showing the three states of matter and how substances change between them

    Remember – an atom is a small unit of matter and a molecule is a group of atoms bonded together.

    Image of the universe for an article about matter

    Last Updated on July 18, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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