Matter Study Guide
Matter – anything that takes up space and has mass
Properties – characteristics that can be used to describe matter can be measurable or
observable
Observable Properties (using senses)
(using sense of sight): color, size, shape, shininess or luster
(using sense of touch): texture or relative hotness or coldness
(using sense of smell): odor present or not
Measurable Properties (using tools)
Length – The measurement of something from end to end. Can be measured
using a ruler, tape measure, or meter stick.
Mass – How much matter is in an object. Can be measured using a balance. An
object with a large mass feels heavier than an object with a smaller mass
Temperature – A measure of heat in an object. Can be measured with a
thermometer. An object with a greater temperature feels hotter to the touch than
an object with a lower temperature.
Volume – The amount of space an object takes up. Volume can be measured
with a beaker, graduated cylinder or graduated syringe. An object takes up more
space and has greater volume than an object that takes up less space.
Solids – Have definite shape and size that doesn’t change unless it is cut bent or torn.
Measurable properties of solids include length, temperature, mass and volume
Liquids – Have a definite volume but take on the shape of their containers.
Measureable properties include temperature, mass and volume.
Gasses – do not have a definite shape or volume. Gases take up the shape and size of
their container. Measurable properties include temperature and mass.
Melting – happens when heat energy is added to change a solid to a liquid. Ice begins
to melt at 0 C or at 32 F. Solids that can melt are ice, chocolate and wax.
Freezing – Happens when heat energy is removed (it gets colder) to change a liquid to
a solid. Water starts to freeze at 32 F or 0 C. Water will expand (or get bigger) when it
freezes but most other substances contract (or get smaller).
Condensing – Changes a gas into a liquid. It happens when heat energy is removed (
it gets colder). Water droplets on the outside of a glass of cold liquid or water droplets
on the out cool surface of a mirror during a hot shower. The droplets are called
condensation.
Boiling – changes a liquid to a gas. Happens when heat is added to a liquid causing
bubble of gas to form in the liquid and come to the top of the liquid. Boiling changes a
liquid quicker than evaporation. Water starts to boil at 100 C or 212 F. Most
substances will expand to take up more space when heated.
Evaporation – Changes a liquid to a gas. It happens at the surface when heat is added
to the surrounding areas. Evaporation happens more slowly than boiling.
Burning – produces heat for example burning wood or candles heat is produced.
Friction – Rubbing two objects together produces heat. Rubbing your hands together
makes them warmer.
Electricity – heat can be produced when using electricity. For example light bulbs,
heaters, stoves, toasters, or ovens.
Conductors – Materials that allow heat to move easily through them and from one
object to another through direct contact. An example is a metal spoon. It gets hot when
you stick it in your hot soup.
Insulators - Materials that do not allow heat to move easily through them or from one
object to another through direct contact are called insulators. A wooden spoon is a
good insulator it doesn’t get hot when it is put in hot water
.