Definition of Matter
About 2 min read
(updated 8 February 2022)
Matter is defined as anything that takes up space and has mass. Everything around you is made up of matter. Matter is a generic term for the “stuff” around you.
Taking up space means that an object has a measurable size or volume. Mass is a property of matter that is a measure of its resistance to acceleration. Another property of matter is that has a gravitational force, such that objects attract each other with a weak force.
There are also various particles of matter.
Questions you may have include:
- How does matter take up space?
- What is mass?
- What are the particles of matter?
This lesson will answer those questions. Useful tool: Units Conversion
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.
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.
Matter has mass
When an object is accelerated, its inertia resists that acceleration according to the mass of the object. Thus, mass is a property of matter that indicates its resistance to acceleration.
Attraction
Objects or quantities of matter will attract each other through a gravitation force related to the amount of mass in the objects.
Density
The amount of mass per unit volume of an object or material is called its density. That is how much mass is stuffed into a given volume.
Particles of matter
There are various particles of matter that make up atoms.
Classical particles
Classical particles are the proton, neutron, and electron, as well as their anti-particles. These can be subdivided into Leptons and Quarks.
(See Fundamental Particles of Matter for more information.)
There are types of matter different than the ordinary forms.
Dark 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 anything that takes up space and has mass. Taking up space means that an object has a measurable volume. Mass indicates how much force is required to move the object. Variations of matter include classical matter and dark matter.
Make things matter
Resources and references
Websites
Matter – Wikipedia
Matter is the Stuff Around You – Chem4Kids.com
Matter: Definition & the Five States of Matter – LiveScience.com