Explanation of the Definition of Matter - Succeed in Physical Science. Also refer to physics, properties, atoms, molecules, protons, electrons, photons, sub-atomic particles, space, gravity, mass, force, antimatter, dark matter, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Definition of Matter
by Ron Kurtus (revised 31 October 2007)
Matter is what makes up all substances. We normally look at matter as the molecules and atoms that make up material and chemical substances. But also, subatomic particles such as protons and electrons are considered matter. Major characteristics or properties are that matter takes up space and has mass. There are also variations of matter, such as antimatter and dark matter.
Questions you may have include:
- How does matter take up space?
- What is mass?
- What are the variations of matter?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Useful tools: Metric-English Conversion | Scientific Calculator.
Matter takes up space
Particles of matter have size and take up space. At the very least, all matter has three dimensions: length, width and height. This is somewhat obvious when you look at various objects around you. They all take up space.
Note: There are theories that matter may consist of many more dimensions. Since we consist of matter and also are 3-dimensional objects, we cannot experience or measure other dimensions except through mathematical theories.
Measurements have been made of the diameter of various atoms and the space they take up. It is assumed that the various subatomic particles also have a physical size and take up space.
Joke:
Teacher to student: "What is matter?"
Student: "Nothing's the matter. Everything's fine.
Matter has mass
Matter has mass, but mass is difficult to define. One circular definition is that mass is how much matter there is in an object. Since mass is a very fundamental property, like distance and time, it can only be defined indirectly.
Quantities of matter will attract each other through a gravitation force related to the amount of mass in the objects. Likewise, the inertia of an object is dependent on its mass.
Typically, we use matter as a catch-all term related to objects, while we use mass to describe what happens to the matter.
Variations of matter
One variation of matter is antimatter. It simply consists of mirror images of common subatomic particles that have the opposite electrical charge and sometimes opposite spin. An antiproton is the same as a proton, except that it has a negative (−) electrical charge instead of a positive (+) charge. An antineutron has a spin component in the opposite direction of a neutron. These particles are still matter.
Another variation of matter, called dark matter, is still a theory. Astronomical measurements indicate that some galaxies have more mass than is observed. The theory is that there exists some sort of "dark matter" that cannot be seen but that has an influence on the gravity of those galaxies.
Summary
Matter is what makes up all substances. Molecules, atoms and sub-atomic particles are all matter. The major properties of matter is that it takes up space, has mass and attracts other matter with gravity. There are different opinions on whether photons are matter.
Make things matter
Resources
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Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. Is CO2 matter?
2. What property of matter causes the Earth's gravity?
3. Why is the word "antimatter" somewhat misleading?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Physical Science. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Definition of Matter